Feminisms, inequality and paid domestic work

Janet M. Arnado

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Behavioral Sciences

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Source Title

Asia Pacific Sociological Association Conference

Publication Date

7-2002

Abstract

The quest for gender equality has been the most important aspiration of "feminism," and up to now, feminists continue their struggle to achieve a level playing field with men. While considerable work has been done on the study of gender inequality, little attention has been devoted in examining the growing inequality among women. This paper examines the connection between feminisms and the rising inequality among women. It takes the argument that feminisms are class-and/or race-based movements that fail to address the concerns of all women. Instead, in women's struggle to achieve gender equality, we often blindly support the reproduction of class and racial/ethnic inequality among women. The employment relationship between the mistress and her maid is presented as an example to demonstrate the reproduction of social closure among women at the top and at the bottom of global social hierarchy. Women at the top come from rich countries like the USA, Singapore, and Hong Kong, whereas women at the bottom come from poor countries like India and the Philippines. The Philippine case is based on ethnographic research, consisting of participant observation, focus groups, and interviews with mistresses and maids, while the cases from other countries are based on literature review.

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Disciplines

Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Keywords

Feminism; Equality

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