Factors Leading Highly Educated Women to Become Housewives: An Islamic Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/umran2024.11n3.755Keywords:
educated women, housewife, career, empowerment.Abstract
Historically, women were primarily associated with domestic roles, while men pursued careers outside the home. With the rapid development of technologies and industries, alongside increasing female enrolment in education, women's participation in the labour force has grown significantly. However, this shift has had profound impacts on women, both socially and personally. Despite governmental efforts to boost women's workforce participation, employment rates remain below optimal levels. This research aims to identify the reasons why highly educated women choose not to join the workforce and instead become full-time housewives, regardless of their educational attainment. A quantitative online survey was conducted among women with Master's and PhD degrees (n=253) to explore their motivations for this choice. The findings revealed that many educated women opt to become housewives primarily to care for their children and effectively manage their families, viewing these roles as crucial in fulfilling their Islamic responsibilities and ensuring the well-being of their households. Additional factors influencing this decision are also discussed. The implications of this study offer significant opportunities and strategies for authorities to holistically empower housewives, considering both their educational backgrounds and the Islamic values that guide their choices.
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