Why do women leave their children and go to work? Some women decide to work for financial reasons, some to escape from home, some to relieve their stress, etc. However, some of those in the older generation believe that women should not work and that they should instead be homemakers. Yet a few do believe that women should work so that the family can benefit in many ways. To begin with, having a working mother in the family will help the family financially. A working woman has her own career aspirations and her own set of responsibilities. But for a housewife, life starts and ends with her husband, children and her own family
There are both advantages and disadvantages to being a working woman just as there are to being a housewife. Working women have to leave their children in the care of a housemaid or someone else. However, you cannot trust housemaids, as they cannot give the care which only a mother can give.
I asked a few women about how they feel about being a housewife or a working woman in Saudi Arabia. Their opinions are as follows:
Ayesha, an Indian housewife, said: “I am an educated housewife. After returning from school, my children are very happy when they find me at home. They have so much to talk about. A housewife can help her children with their homework, and who says that housewives are not contributing to the family financially? They save the cost of a housemaid and of private tuition as well. This is a major contribution. Moreover, the joy on my child's face is enough of a reward for me!”
Fatima Khan, a Pakistani, said: “As a working woman, I know how painful it is to leave your children at home and go to work. I sometimes wish I could stay home but that is not possible because I want to give my child a better life and a better education. Housewives also contribute a lot to their family. It's not an easy task to sacrifice your career and stay home to cook and look after your children. I feel that working at home is more difficult than working in an office.”
Anna, who is from the Philippines, said: “I am a graduate and I was working before my marriage. After I moved to Saudi Arabia, I realized how good it would be to know that for someone, you are everything. When you come back from the office, you get the proper attention and care that you aspire to. Your children are given proper personal care and attention, which is very important as it makes the bond between parents and children stronger. My children are teenagers and I must spend time with them in order to make them feel secure and to keep them away from negative thoughts.”
A Saudi woman said: “Men have been given the Islamic responsibility of providing for women, who are by default financially dependent on father, husband or brother. In earlier days, women enjoyed the luxury of being at home, cooking, watching TV, reading newspapers and doing housework. Now women wish to work and earn for themselves. However, they should try to maintain a balance between work and family.
“If a woman fears God, she will not allow her work to affect her Islamic obligations, such as offering the daily five prayers on time, fasting during Ramadan, gaining Islamic knowledge, reciting the Holy Qur'an and wearing the hijab. So in my opinion, a women can work but her family and responsibility should be of prime importance.”
Heena Syed, a Sri Lankan, said: “In today's world, the salary of both the husband and the wife are required in order to have a good home, a good car and a good bank balance for the children's future. The work of both parents is essential for the progress of the family. Being with her husband and children 24 hours a day does not mean that a woman is the perfect mother. A working woman understands the value of work. Unlike a housewife, she never blames her husband for being late from the office. Working women often find some fulfillment in their jobs, apart from home. Hence, they may have better life satisfaction and feel less dependent on their husbands. This in turn can lead to more harmony in the family.”
Sana Obaid, a Saudi, said: “I work as a teacher and I feel that my kids are financially secure. They can join extra coaching programs and enroll in activities as per their wish. I spend my weekends fully with my kids and husband so I personally feel that being a working women does not affect my family.”
Jabida, an Indian, said: “I want to say that I disagree with the idea that housewives are less educated. I have worked when I needed to. Right now I can stay at home and I love it. I teach my daughter the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, etc. We go outside and do various activities, such as cooking, cleaning and the list goes on. I also help my husband by working on a few computer programs. In this way I am content.”
Mohamed Hasan, an Indian student, said: “I feel the choice should be given to the lady. If she wishes to work, if she is confident that she can handle both working and her family obligations and if her spouse and family are willing to support her, then she can have a career. It does lead to fulfillment. And with changing times, a lady can also work from home, part time, or with flexible hours. So let her choose whether she wants to have a career or wants to be a housewife.”
So to conclude, I would like to share the example of Hazrat Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her) who was the wife of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him). She was one of the most successful businesswomen of her times and she conducted transactions through her husband, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
A woman in Islam is given financial security. Many women still tend to be housewives in Saudi Arabia, while others want to work for their own reasons. I think both of these choices are acceptable. It depends on your own attitude toward life.
