Femocracy And Home Economics- Intro 1

FEMOCRACY AND HOME ECONOMICS 1

Internationalisation, free trade, and technological advances brought about globalisation. A new frontier where information, capital and people move faster than ever thought possible. I cannot help but wonder the future that awaits most Filipinos as they surrender their fate to this emerging new world. I am particularly interested in exploring the plight of the Filipina, their poignant search for a better life, and the role that they will play in the global stage.

WORK AND FAMILY

Decades ago, women in developed countries have joined the work force and have been recognised as main contributors of economic advancement. Governments encouraged this by providing child care facilities and gave women lots of opportunities to build a career. As a result, the number of women in the workforce continued to increase. This was in part a reflection of the need for a second income in families, an assertion to escape from the routine of housework which had entrapped women of earlier generations,  and an expression of women’s right to self- determination. These new breed of women who today are called superwomen juggled work and family to prove themselves worthy of respect and equality with men. They chose to have a career, and at the same time maintained their role as homebuilders, caregivers and selfless contributors in the community.

As much as western women want to care for the family, the kitchen sink will have to wait as pursuing financial independence has become more important and on top of the agenda of the increasing group of ardent superwomen. Women in the west are finding roles in business and management, in all of the professions and in politics. And while they advanced in their careers something has to give; the family suffered. Governments recognised that superwomen proved to be a myth; the kind of being aspired to by many working women.

Filipinas live the financial independence of its western counterpart without any struggle. Feminism was not considered essential in the Philippines as elite Filipinas, the supposed movers of the feminist cause already enjoyed an esteemed status in Philippine society. A woman’s rights to legal equality, inherit family property, attend school and university have not been questioned. The presence of women in important positions is not new or unusual in the Philippines. The rumour that Imelda was running Malacanang in the later years of Marcos administration may not be far from the truth. It was customary for working men to give and surrender all the earnings to the wife who is in charged of the family purse. Women who can afford it strive to get an education, go to work or engage in business and at the same time maintain peace and harmony in the family. The burden of juggling family and work were made possible by the availability of relatives and servants who functioned as helpers in the Filipino homes. Women enjoyed greater equality in society than was common in other parts of Southeast Asia.