"A Woman's Work" (my article on The Jakarta Globe)

Dec. 23rd, 2011 at 1:45 PM

I more or less wrapped up my thoughts on contemporary gender issues in article titled "A Woman's Work", published by The Jakarta Globe today, Friday 23 December.

Do you also feel the same about the wifework you've been doing in your household?

We will be going to Indonesia for a good month. Kids are very excited to see their grandparents and cousins again. They also made a list of food they want to eat to their hearts content: risoles, nasi goreng, mie goreng, somay.

I wish you all a very merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Comments

( 8 comments — Leave a comment )

(Anonymous) wrote:

Dec. 23rd, 2011 01:44 pm (UTC)

a case for the good cause

Let's start by saying I wish all four of you a tremendous X-mas, a great turn of the year and an unforgettable holiday in Indonesia.

As for the article I have to admit it is a real bazooka in making your case. It deserves hurray and three cheers. You as matter of course are absolutely right: "Simply put, society could not function if it depended on paid work alone".

I wonder though if keeping a household going and ( especially) raising one's kids should be measured in an economic way. It is quite an effort indeed, it's is not just a 24/7 occupation, it involves huge responsibilities - yet I think it's wrong to measure all this devotion in terms of money. I think, at least I hope, that caring for and educating of one's children is of another dimension. A significantly higher one.

And by the way: societies ( and individuals) who see "a soldier sitting eight hours a day in a missile silo as usefully employed", have to be nuts :).

jerry/colson

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trilingual wrote:

Dec. 23rd, 2011 08:18 pm (UTC)

Re: a case for the good cause

In this world, everything is obviously measured by money. Cashing out motherhood is an effective way to give understanding on how expensive a mother work actually is.

Welfare countries in Europe understand this better --> the govt gives maternity/parental leave for BOTH parents --> shared parenting burden. And in some countries, there are even quotas for women's position in key positions in politics -->women are better represented in those countries --> we are heard more.

IMHO, the key is really for mothers to deal with the father domestically to share the parenting and household burdens. However, it would be tremendously hard if the society (motored by the govt) still undervalues mother work --> that's why the cashing out is important.

Degrading mother's work a vicious cycle that needs to stop --> the best way is to make wives and mothers understand the value of their work and that they DO HAVE human rights --> they will then feel empower and ready to negotiate with their spouses.

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mags2riches wrote:

Dec. 25th, 2011 06:38 pm (UTC)

Kudos on your article! I completely agree that we need to raise the value of domestic work or women's work in society. The unpaid work women and some men do adds so much to the richness and function of home life. I just reposted your article to my facebook. Your sentiments support the tennants of radical homemakers. If you don't already know of her, you might enjoy Shannon Hayes writing as well.

http://radicalhomemakers.com/

Thank you for articulating what needs to be broadcasted.

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trilingual wrote:

Dec. 28th, 2011 02:44 pm (UTC)

Thank you! Will check he link once I'm back in OZ. The internet connection is verrry slooow at my parents' house :D

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mags2riches wrote:

Dec. 25th, 2011 06:43 pm (UTC)

PS. have a Merry Christmas and a fantastic time in Indonesia!

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trilingual wrote:

Dec. 28th, 2011 02:45 pm (UTC)

Same to you!