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Bachelor men are willing to have working spouses in future

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Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 2

Background ......................................................................................................................... 4

Areas of Research ............................................................................................................... 6

Hypothesis........................................................................................................................... 7

Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 7

Primary data presentation and Analysis .............................................................................. 8

Secondary data presentation and Analysis ........................................................................ 21

Limitations ........................................................................................................................ 24

Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 24

References ......................................................................................................................... 25


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Introduction

In Bangladeshi families, traditionally women work inside their house and looks after their

children and family and men are considered to be the sole bread earner. It can be noticed that

they are responsible for household chores, cooking, cleaning, and washing. Also taking care of

the children is one of the significant duties that a women have while men go outside to earn a

living and bear all the expenses of the family including old parents, wife and children (Debra

Efroymson, Buddhadeb Biswas, and Shakila Ruma). Thus women and her children are usually

economically dependent on man.

This might cause hurdles for the women because all the times a married relation does not work

out smoothly. Different situations might arise and often when a couple actually thinks of divorce

the female partner is often at trouble. The female most of the times cannot get back to parents

house or even if they go back- it usually becomes tough for them if she is not educated while an

educated women often faces difficulties in obtaining a suitable job which will help her to run her

own family and look after the children as well.

Lack of experience, frustration and distress in family life can be a significant driving factor

which might seriously damage the performance of any individual. Also women can face

obstacles while working outside due to lack of social acceptance of women earning a living

which was a very significant issue once upon a time. It is a common perception of the society

that women should not work outside, and most of the times they are not allowed to work after


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their marriage. The problem lies significantly for the middle class women while the poor classes

are allowed to work having no choice and the upper class women often find other ways of

spending their time.

Women also have less freedom of choice. They are almost dependent on others and always have

to fulfill others wishes. Even now in most of the families we will see that they are the one

listening to their male partner, abiding by their rules. No matter how much we shout about equal

rights, no matter how we are putting a mask to hide the real ourselves- women still are not given

the right to take their own decision.

Today the scenario has changed and many women are working outside and holding significant

organizational positions. We can see the literacy rates of women in our country have risen

dramatically. People are more concerned now about education. Awareness has been created

among people and parents are encouraged to make their female children study.

Men are pressurized to run the family all alone and maintain a high standard of living. If more

women come into the workforce and are allowed to share a part of it- it will be definitely easier

to run a family. Hence, women participation is also important in running a family

In my research, I would like to investigate whether the societys view towards women have

changed, whether women can work even after marriage, do women have the freedom to take

their decisions, whether men have changed their perception and will allow their spouses to work,

whether working women are solely responsible for the household works.

Today marriage no longer means the transfer of a girl from her fathers control to the husbands

control ( Raisaa Tashnova) rather a mature women sets out on her new journey to build a

relationship of equality. Todays husbands are not that dominant figure who raise voices will


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shut everyone down rather it as a bonding for life which makes the two voices one. In this article,

Eeman said that she left her job because she does not like to be apart from her husband and she

said she would be happily giving away her independence to be happy with her husband. Posh

says that he and his fiance now talks about their life, income, career future. This reflects things

have changed. Previously men made the decisions and now both men and women collectively

take a decision.

Background

Bangladeshi culture has traditionally savored in its culture that women should not work and this

has become a social concept and a mindset of the entire society. Women are considered as weak

and they are perceived to be capable of doing household works only. Women were the least

prioritized in the family and they are the one most neglected. It was like that they were meant to

be born for others, serve others throughout their life and give the life away to others. The

traditional view of women in Bangladesh (Cornelia Rotaru ) confines them to home and involves

them in household activities.

Women have long been marginalized in political, social and economic endeavor (Nuchhi

Currier), limited access to education and intellectual development has precluded womens

economic independence and made them more dependent on man as a result of which they are

only appreciated for household chores. Women are thought to be a part of a stereotype that they

are the weakest with minimal ability to go out and work for prosperity.

The society does not want women working outside the households and this belief is often

supported with reference to purdah and Islam. Men hardly wanted their wives to work and they


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What were the main roles of women in a family? Do men think that women can take their own decisions? Do they have the freedom to do a job of their choice? Are men ready to accept womens contribution to the family? What is the thought of todays bachelors regarding this issue? Do married men think that it would have been better if their spouses also worked?

Hypothesis

Our society expected women to stay in house and take care of all household chores, family

responsibility, raising children and taking care of the entire family. It is innately believed that

they are born and brought up for that task and it requires no skill to bear all the responsibilities

which makes the rest of the family functional. Women take care of all the family memb ers and

looks after them. She also gets all the things done which enables other members to perform their

work and day to day activities. So I actually want to find Bachelor men are willing to have

working spouses in future from my research.

MethodologyI tried to follow a simple research methodology. For my primary research I conducted a survey

of representatives of my target segment. My samples were the male BBA and MBA students of

North South University .They were questioned about their behavior and attitude towards working

women and if they are willing to accept their wifes contribution. I have also asked them how

they will react in different situations regarding their wife; what they think about women if they


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want to work. I have designed the questionnaires with different types of questions so that I can

get a range of useful data which helped me in answering my research questions.

For my secondary research, I used the resources available in different online articles, web book,

media and academic websites and different other databases. I have provided the reference list of

my secondary research in the appendix.

Primary data presentation and Analysis

For my primary research I have collected data from twenty eight male university students of

different age. The data analysis section is an explanation of all the data collected from my

primary research. The questions are given in a numerical order, same as in research

questionnaires. The interpretations of the data are given below the graphs of each question. All

the data I have gathered through primary research are presented and explained below.

This is the age range of the respondents who actually took part in the survey. From the data

collected we can see in the following figure that almost half of the respondents belong to the age

group 22-26 and the remaining respondents belong to other age groups.

15%

50%

11%

12%

12%

18-22 22-26 26-30 30-34 34 and above


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This is a general demographic data taken form the respondents so that it can be deduced that

from which specific group the data has been taken from. Here we can see that the majority of the

respondents are students and the rest are both students and service holders.

Q1. The first question was whether the respondents want a working spouse? The options were

o Yes, I doo

Yes but not after having children

o I dont want her to work at allo Only if she can manage her workplace as well as the family

This question was asked to the respondents to find out whether they want their spouse to work or

not. Various options used here tried to reflect whether respondents do want their wife to work,

whether respondents have the intention that wives can work until they have children and later

they want their wife to take care of the children only. The option not want their wife to work at

0 5 10 15

1

Service Holder Student


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all was used for those who do not want their wives to work at all and some might also want

their wives.

50% of the respondents said they want a spouse who is working or will work while 39% said that

she can work if she can manage both the family and the workplace and this states that men are

not against women if they want to work.

Q2.The second question was straight forward and was meant to find out whether respondents

want their wives to be educated or not.

Do you want your spouse to be educated?

o Yeso No

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Yes I do Yes but not after

having children

I don't want her

to work at all

Only if she can

manage her

workplace as

well as family

39%

50%


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This question was surprising because all the respondents wants their wife to be educated while

only half of them thinks that wives should work. So it reflects the fact that although men want

educated spouse that does not necessarily mean that they want educated spouses so that they can

work. It might be for other reasons because if a mother is educated she can definitely take care of

her children studies and this may be due to other family factors as well.

Q3. Why? Can you please explain?

This question was asked to clarify more that why they wnt there spouse educated. As 100%

respondent response that they wnt educated spouse but only 50% respondent want to work with

there wife. Most of the respospondent anser that they want educated wife for make their family

educted for their children for fmily and for socity.

100%

0%

Yes No


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Q4. If your spouse wants to work and has a job offer you will tell her:

o To do the jobo not to join at allo To look for another suitable jobo To give most priority to the family

This question was asked to clarify more appropriately how the respondents will react in a

situation when their wife actually have a job offer. This question will unfold whether they want

their wife to actually do the job or not at all, whether respondents want that they should look for

another job or want them to look after the family instead of doing the job at all.

0

5

10

15

20

25

To do the job Not to join at

all

To look for

another

suitable job

To give most

priority to the

family

75%

7%


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Majority of the respondents said they want their wife to do the job while the other respondents

said they do not want them to work at all, some want their wife to give most priority to the

family rather than keeping a job in their consideration.

Q5. Your spouse wants to contribute to the family expenses from her earnings. What would you

tell her?

o It is only my responsibilityo She can contributeo Its her choice

This question was asked to know whether men are willing or ready to accept that their wife can

also earn and bear some of the family expenses. Since it has been an inherent nature that only the

males are responsible for running the family and often them it is offending for the males to think

of spending wives money.


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This was a major question which reflected that majority of men are not any more viewing it as a

negative issue that women should not contribute rather they are positive about it and they are

willing to accept and does not have any objection to it. Only a small percent of people thinks that

it is only their responsibility and their spouses cannot share it.

Q6. Your spouse wants to work and tells your family about it. Your family does not want your

wife to work. What is your role?

o Convince your family to agreeo Ignore them and tell her to go for the jobo Tell your spouse to listen to your family

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

It is only my

responsibility

She can

contribute

It's her choice

53%

43%

4%


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o Others. Please specify.This question was intended to know hoe males will react in a situation when they will face their

familys concern regarding their wives working. Since in most families the in-laws takes a lot of

decision it becomes very difficult for women to work after marriage. In such a case, are the men

ready to revolt and support their wife?

68% of the respondents said they will convince their family if they have any complaint regarding

their wife doing a job. While 18% said they would prefer that their wife would listen to the

family. Other respondents said that they will try to seek the most optimum solution that will keep

both the sides happy and few said they would ask their wife to convince the in laws. Few said

that they will choose only that women as their life partner who will never want to work while

few said that their family would not care even if their wife works.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Convince yourfamily to agree

Ignore them andtell her to go for

the job

Tell your spouseto listen to your

family

Others.

18%14%


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Q7. Suppose your wife has to wash all the plates and dishes before going to sleep but she is very

tired. You will

o Just tell her to resto You do the tasko Stay silento Tell her to rest after finishing it.

This question was asked to find out whether a woman has certain freedom in their households

and if men are ready to help them with their household works. This basically reflects whether

males understand their female partners.


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A significant percent responded that they will do the work themselves which reflects that they

are very much caring to their wife while 36% said they will make sure that she is taking rest and

not working. Men seem to be caring and loving to their wife and take care of their needs.

Q8. Your wife can do a job but she doesnt want to work.

o Convince her to do ito Your wish came true- you dont want her to work at allo You dont tell her anything at all; after all its her decision!o Others

This question was aimed to know how sincere men are regarding their spouses, whether they do

want them to work or they are happy about it if their spouse does not want to work.

Just tell her to rest

36%

You do the task64%

Stay silent

0%Tell her to

rest after

finishing it

0%


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61% of the men actually would not bother their partner if they do not want to work. They would

welcome their partners decision and accept it. 21% responded that they will prefer their wife to

do a job rather than staying all day at home and they will convince them to go for a job. 11% said

their wish automatically came true as they do not want their wife to work.

Q9. If your wife is transferred to another city, you would

o Let her move to another city and do the jobo Tell her to quit the jobo Help her to set her careero Others

This question was asked to know if men would be willing to let their wife work if they are

transferred to a distant place. It reflects whether men are willing to sacrifice their own interest to

help their wife pursue their career or not. Or they would rather tell their spouses to quit the job.

21%

11%

61%

7%

0%0%0%0% Convince her to do it

Your wish came true-youdo not want her to work

at all

You do not tell her

anything ; after all it is

her decision

Others


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47% said that they will help their spouse to set their career and let them move. This fact shows

that they are not at all negative about their wife moving and working. Approximately 39% said

they will ask their wife to quit the job.

Q10. If your wife comes home late after office

o Would you would support her for the sake of her careero Dont allow her to stay outside in late hours

o Tell her to do the job but she cannot come lateo Others

0 5 10 15

Let her move to another

city and do the job

Tell her to quit the job

Help her to set her career

Others

47%


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This question was asked to know from the respondents that what their reaction will be if their

wife becomes late to come home after office. Also it was aimed to know what are the situations

that can possibly lead to a change in mind that the spouses should not do a job.

57% said they have no problem if their wife is sometimes late as they accept the fact that work

pressure can sometimes make it happen. Rest of the respondents said they would support their

wife for her career while others said they will ask them to quit the job or will not allow her to

stay out for late hours.

Q11.In general, what do you think about women working after marriage?

o Housewives can work if they wish to do soo I do not care about others wives but I want her to do all the household workso They do not need to work if already their husband is workingo Others. Please specify.

7%

14%

57%

18% 4%

Would you support her for the sake of her career

Don't allow her to stay outside in late hours

Due to work pressure, she might come late which is natural

Tell her to quit the job

Others


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This was a general question aimed to know about their feelings about whether women should

work or not.

68% of the men said they do not have any problem if any women wants to work and they think it

is normal and usual. That means men now accept the fact that it is natural for women to work.

25% thinks that it is unnecessary for women to work if the husbands are already working. They

are not very much willing about their wife going to work and they dislike it. Other respondents

commented that it depends on the specific situation and that situation would automatically help

to decide what should be done, while others think that it will be helpful for them as many

incumbents are working in private companies where thay have less job security and might lose

their job at any time.If the spouse is also working it will definitely help in time of difficulties.

Secondary data presentation and Analysis

Raise peoples and policymakers awareness of the importance of womens contribution, and

that spending money on women is an investment in the economic wellbeing of the country rather

68%3%

25%

4%

They can workif they wish to do so

I do not care about other's wives, but I want her to do houshold

work

The do not need to work if their husband is already earning

Others


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than an expense. Convince government officials to include womens work in economic

measurements of the nation (such as GDP), and to incorporate an understanding of womens

value when looking at programs to assist women (such programs representing a tiny return on

womens contribution to society, rather than a net cost). Work to involve men in domestic tasks

in order to reduce the burden on women; Replicate this research study in other countries, to

broaden international understanding of the issue in different contexts.

From Elsebeth Krogh, and Thomas Nikolaj Hansen (COWI Consult), Susanne Wendt and

Morten Elkader: Gender discrimination at the labour market has a significant cost. For Asia it

has been estimated that gender discrimination costs up to USD 80 billion a year due to restriction

on womens labour market participation and access to schooling (United Nations Economic and

Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific - UNESCAP, 2007;). Furthermore, as documented

by Costa and Silva in a study of selected Latin American countries, removing gender-based

barriers to the labour market would lead to a significant reduction in the poverty rate (Costa and

Silva, 2008).

The purpose of this paper is to identify issues keeping women in developing countries out of

decent employment and point to strategies that donors may consider when designing

interventions for improving women's employment opportunities.

Womens earnings are well below those of their male colleagues. Kolen and Sirvens cross-

country study of sub-Saharan African economies finds a significant gender pay gap: The average

female-to-male weekly income gap ranged between 23% (Burkina Faso) to 79% (Ghana), while

women in Malawi earned slightly more than men. According to UNIFEM, gender differentials in


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hourly earnings are common and apply to most types of employment, especially among own-

account workers, while the gender ratio is more balanced for employees in the public sector. The

gender pay gap can to a large extent be explained by lower level of education and by the fact that

women are more likely to work in informal jobs. Controlling for the level of education, Kolen

and Sirven find that among workers with no education men earn almost three times more than

women, while the gap is nearly closed with respect to workers with tertiary education.

In many countries in Asia where significant declines in fertility are being experienced, reductions

in the proportion of people married have often coincided with or preceded declines in marital

fertility. A substantial increase of the proportions never married, among both males and females,

at young ages, has been noted in many countries. For instance, in Bangladesh, the proportion of

females never married in the age group 20-24 increased from 4.6 per cent to 18.5 during the

period of 1970 and 2000. Corresponding estimates for Sri Lanka do not show a marked increase

in the proportions of never married, but they remain at a significantly high level of 61-63

percent. The same is noted in Kazakhstan where an increase from 32 per cent to 40 per cent is

shown. In the year 2000 Turkmenistan reported a significantly higher proportion of never

married females in the age group 20-24. A significance of the increase in the proportion of never

married young adults is the gradual upward trend of the average age at marriage. In the 1970s the

singulate mean age at marriage of females was lowest in Bangladesh and highest in Sri Lanka.

The highest increase in average age at marriage of females during the period 1970 to1990 was

observed in India and the least in Sri Lanka. In the Central Asian countries, too, similar trends in

females postponing their age at entry to marriage can be detected.


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Limitations

Time constraint Limited sample including respondents from NSU only

Age limitation

Respondents are unmarried and hence less exposed to the practical situation. So I thinkmarried men could have given a better impression about the real scenario and whether

they think that it would have been better if their spouses worked as well.

Conclusion

I chose this topic for research to find out if the perception of men has changed today and if they

think it will be a support for them if their wife is also earning. It can be a great help for men if

women also work and contribute to family expenses. Taking into consideration the high prices of

goods, services, medical facilities and other utilities, it can pressurize men giving him less time

for himself and try to earn money. It is going to be easier for men if they also want their wives

contribution and are willing to accept it.


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My research has led to explore the issue. According to my research, men want working spouses.

On the other hand, very few percentage thinks that women cannot add to the family expenses

from her earnings. Also they are ready to support their wifes choice if they are ready to work.

So from my research I conclude that bachelor men are willing to have working spouses in future.

References

Efroymson,D.,Biswas. B, & Ruma. S. (2007). The Economic Contribution of Women in

Bangladesh Through their unpaid labor. In L. Jones., S. FitzGerald.,& E. Tungohan.(Eds.),


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(pp. 3-5) Retrieved from

http://www.healthbridge.ca/economic%20contribution%20report.pdf

Krogh, E.,Nikolaj, T.,Wendt, S. & Elkjaer,M. Promoting Employment for Women as a Strategy

for Poverty Reduction.(pp.3-5). Retrieved from

http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/27/2/43280489.pdf

Demographic and social trends affecting families in the South and central Asian region. (pp 4-

10) Retrieved fromhttp://www.un.org/esa/socdev/family/Publications/mtdesilva.pdf

Womens Rights in Bangladesh.(p 3). Retrieved from

http://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/womensit/bd-w-sit.pdf

Tashnova.R.(2011,November 29).And Happily ever after. Lifestyle.The Daily Star, pp7-8
http://www.healthbridge.ca/economic%20contribution%20report.pdfhttp://www.healthbridge.ca/economic%20contribution%20report.pdfhttp://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/27/2/43280489.pdfhttp://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/27/2/43280489.pdfhttp://www.un.org/esa/socdev/family/Publications/mtdesilva.pdfhttp://www.un.org/esa/socdev/family/Publications/mtdesilva.pdfhttp://www.un.org/esa/socdev/family/Publications/mtdesilva.pdfhttp://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/womensit/bd-w-sit.pdfhttp://www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org/womensit/bd-w-sit.pdfhttp://www.un.org/esa/socdev/family/Publications/mtdesilva.pdfhttp://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/27/2/43280489.pdfhttp://www.healthbridge.ca/economic%20contribution%20report.pdf

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