REYES RANZ MUOZ, AV 1

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE IDEA, EXPRESSED IN SOME COUNTRIES, THAT

WOMEN SHOULD BE PAID A WAGE FOR THE WORK THEY DO IN THE HOME?

From a historical point of view, we can not deny that the value of women social role
has been mistreated. On one hand, their civil rights were limited for centuries (suffrage,
education, work, politics, birth control) and on the other hand their background position on
the hearth, in the shadow of the male figure (father/partner) and often feeling undervalued
their devoted and endless dedication. Moreover, regarding to the unequal female-male
forces report, when women entered en masse the labour market the last part of the XX th
century, they became more independent as women and citizens, but household chore
were expecting them at home after their working day, in general without any support.

However, if women decide not to work outside the home and to take care of the
household chores and in most cases also of the children, they have to face endless
working days, 24/7 and 365 days a year. And what is worse, without any recognized
labour right as holidays, sick leave, retirement allowance or days off.
Nowadays, although quantifying economically the annual wage that a housewife
should earn would be impossible, and that the maternal role is priceless, I do think that an
intense social debate must be brought up about the subject.
I personally consider that, we can not only focus on a gender issue, because
resting at home (men or women) to support the social structure traditionally based on the
family unit, is a big burden that entails sacrifice and prevents from a real free economic
relationship. Therefore whether the decision is taken this should mean, receiving a
subsidized tuition to make up for the full time dedication unmeasured, that goes beyond
retirement age and is essential for the well-being of societies.