ABSTRACT:
The oppression of women seems to be anachronistic. This is false to a considerable extent in the contemporary era as well. While a majority of the decisions in an Indian household are taken by the homemaker, her position can be described as more of a coordinator of finances, nutrition, health, societal interactions, and familial harmony. She works 24/7 with no breaks even for festivities. Her consideration in this arrangement: is love and affection. Small breaks are inflated to ‘doing nothing” and small gifts are “wasting the husband’s money”. While love and affection bring an intangible element to this determination, there are many risks that a woman faces in her family life, because of which she is forced to compromise her educational and professional aspirations. Even in cases where the consent is ‘apparent’, the same readiness to compromise is not found in the other sex.
This article explores how the traditional role of women in the household and the contemporary society, with new elements interact as a feedback mechanism, mutually reinforcing each other, resulting in holding women back from opportunities for growth. It explains the multitude of roles played by the women in the household and how undervalued and unseen they are despite making remarkable contributions to the nation’s economy. A detailed discussion is presented on the economic front. Further, challenges and barriers that hinder this issue are stated and their solutions are addressed. The article also detects the traces of recognition awarded to unpaid domestic work by the Indian Judiciary.
Keywords: Homemaker, recognition, financial independence, contribution, holistic empowerment.
INTRODUCTION:
Decades before colonization, India as it exists today did not exist. It was the efforts of countless leaders that resulted in the amalgamation of different units, resulting in the India we see today. During colonization, while some extreme forms of restrictions on women were prohibited, colonization brought with it the gender-based division of work and sustained it through the importation of industrialization. Even after independence, women’s rights, especially at home, did not see the light of day. While women’s lives have changed for the better, it is not what every woman in this country lives. This is apparent in how we, as Indians, react subconsciously, to a male home-maker. He is subject to ridicule or considered a laughing matter. So what does this mean to the woman? At one point or another, every one of us has thought the term home-maker must mean a woman. This is a result of the generational familial structure that we have had and the unwritten rules we practice.
The Hindu reports that about 160 million women in India are Homemakers. The Periodic Labour Force Survey report put forth by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in 2023 reported that there has been a jump in the Female participation rate to 37%. While this is laudable, it is reported that 60% of women in India who are within the productive age bracket (15-59) are engaged in full-time housework. Solutions that come to mind: Education and Employment. While the benefits of these programs are undeniable, it seems that there are other possibly more viable but unexplored options to secure women’s welfare in India. One of them is homemaker’s pay.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
This paper is of a descriptive nature and the research is based on secondary sources for the deep analysis of the position of Homemaker pay in India. Secondary sources of information like newspapers, journals, and websites are used for the research.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE:
Throughout history, the recognition of homemakers’ took a back seat to resolving other ‘more’ important issues. International and National initiatives have more or less become dead letters, with no real change taking root. Homemakers, through the daily tasks that they perform, serve as the backbone of our economy without much recognition. Using the replacement cost approach researchers have found that the economic contribution of homemakers in India is largely undermined. Homemakers’ pay, now largely functions as a political statement, for new parties to make themselves seem unique. The number of actual programs brought in is paltry and their effectiveness is questionable. The topic of Homemakers’ pay is contentiousf, where love and affection are used as tools to wade away efforts at actual betterment. Many women themselves find the topic irrelevant and even degrading. While this payment may not be the end all be all to the problems of women in the country, it can help in ensuring social security for this vulnerable section of society.
UNSEEN LABOUR OF HOME-MAKERS:
The role of Homemakers in Indian households is something that is taken for granted and assumed to be, in certain instances, “ordained” or even the “normal”. Women, especially after marriage are presented with the herculean task of managing every aspect of the household. This remains in her list of duties even if she is employed for paid labour. While paid labour outside the home is limited in time accompanied by recognition in the form of monetary benefits, and work inside the home is a 24/7 commitment without even verbal recognition.
A married woman in India, residing in a rural or urban area, spends most of her time cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the children, the husband, and the in-laws. The contrary arguments are exceptions to this rule, whatever it may be. In the southern part of India, women tend to bring gold into their marriage, adding to the family’s wealth which is expected to be used in the future for dire situations. If the women in a family are part of the paid workforce, the change in the time and efforts devoted by them to household duties is negligent when compared to that of their husbands.
The work of the housewife or homemaker is silent, indispensable and unrecognized. The physical labour of these activities is especially strenuous for those women living in rural and remote areas, with the collection of essentials such as water for several daily uses. The women in the family are held primarily responsible for the smooth functioning of the family. It is the work of the homemaker that allows the paid workers in the family to go outside without having to worry about the finances, health and emotional well-being of the household. Homemakers contribute remarkable economic benefits not only to their own families but also to the entire nation.
In 1946, the Washington Post estimated the value of the work done by a single homemaker in the US equivalent to about 9,032 USD annually. A study conducted in Punjab reveals that the value of the unpaid work done by the homemaker is equivalent to approximately Rs.14, 000 per month. Homemakers drive the markets for agricultural produce and dairy products, India’s biggest markets. In urban areas, homemakers are the target market for household products and e-commerce outreach. Thus, they contribute significantly to the national income.
The role of the caregiver is glorified to a height that any expression of dissatisfaction is frowned upon. A nap in the afternoon, after all these tasks, is still largely equated to just ‘sleeping’ the entire day by the other family members. Treating the homemaker with basic respect that they already deserve, by sharing the household tasks, or expressing gratitude for her work, is appreciated way more than the work that the woman does. This understanding pushes homemakers into a vicious cycle wherein the lack of pay reduces their status in the family, depriving them of their rightful autonomy and independence within their family. In a full cycle, investment toward a daughter’s or wife’s education and employment is deemed unnecessary.
Household tasks are seen as simple and easy. However, the frequency of these tasks and various intensities have a slow but adverse effect on the woman’s physical health, with an emphasis on their nutrition taking a backseat. With an average Indian man less likely to devote time and money towards his own mental and emotional health, the same for the woman looks bleak. A study carried out to understand burnout among Indian Housewives during COVID-19 showed that homemakers experienced a significant drop in their emotional, physical, and mental health and an increase in their workload. The responsibility of being the primary caregiver aggravated anxiety towards nutritional and immunity requirements of the household, education of the children, and finances in a vulnerable period like the pandemic.
The topic of homemaker pay invites significant tension, with women themselves opposing this initiative, because they are doing these tasks out of love and affection. While this is not denied, there is a blatant absence of economic security to hedge against risks that a woman faces in her marriage. This lack of economic security forces the woman to remain dependent on her family members, irrespective of the emotional and physical trauma she might be undergoing. It is reminded that homemaking itself is not evil but is rather a necessity and with societal changes slow to take, the necessary resources have to be redirected to secure the rights of the homemakers in this country.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF HOME-MAKING:
It is almost a natural reaction to say a homemaker does no ‘work’ as work here is mainly considered to be something for which a person is paid to do. The reduction of household work into a ‘non-economic activity’ undermines the economic and societal position of homemakers in the country. As we discussed in the previous section, the economic contribution of women to their family income as well as their nation is immense but unrecognized.
- Contribution to Family: As we discussed in the earlier section, the homemaker ensures the smooth functioning of her family by carrying out a multitude of roles that the family would otherwise have to pay for. Hence, there is a significant reduction in potential costs that they would have to incur otherwise. The homemaker’s role allows the earning member to devote more hours to work and even follow their pursuits. Homemakers often take up small part-time jobs such as sewing, tutoring or in agricultural areas, working on other people’s farms, animal husbandry, etc. However, this income is primarily utilized to make ends meet and do nothing to provide security to the homemaker in precarious situations.
- Contribution to the Nation: Homemakers in India make the most decisions as to the allocation of finance to different expenses and on the whole the homemaker demography tends to influence the demand and supply of products. In addition to this, the activities performed by the homemaker such as child care, elderly care, housekeeping, cooking, and so on are described by some to be ‘productive activities’. This term usually enters when the national income or GDP is calculated. Productive activity is defined to result in the provision of goods and services using scarce resources to satisfy human wants. This argument in favor of homemaker’s pay may seem like a stretch. However, there is undeniable contribution on the part of the homemakers to the economic sustenance of this country and this cannot be set aside merely because of technicalities. It is conceded that some aspects of ‘homemaking’ are intangible. However, sole reliance upon this argument is untenable.
It is reported that unpaid care work by women accounts for about 35% of India’s GDP and this calls for the inspection of the way our national income is calculated.
A CONTEMPORARY SCENARIO IN INDIA:
Providing educational and employment opportunities to women at various levels of society is an important mode of securing the holistic empowerment of women in the country. However, statistics report that women spend 84% of their time on unpaid domestic work while men spend the same amount on paid work. At certain points in a woman’s life, biological needs, and cultural and societal requirements take over educational and employment priorities. For instance, a woman may choose to stay at home to nurse her newborn, or for her postpartum recovery. Homemaker’s pay will preserve the economic security of the woman in such situations. Empowerment of women is the destination that can be reached through a combination of ways such as education, flexible working hours, and employment opportunities, and includes homemaker’s pay as well. Despite the benefits that it offers, there seems to be no unanimous decision to recognize its value. The movement for homemaker’s pay seems to be sporadic, finding its place in party manifestos and schemes in one state so far.
Contemporary legal position:
The general position of property within marriage itself is very fragile, given that the property brought by the members into marriage is treated as separate. The work of the woman is undervalued and she remains with only those assets that she brings at the beginning of the marriage and subsequent gifts and accretions if any, when the marriage unfortunately comes to an end.
Setting aside express mentions of homemaker pay in recent times, it is reported that over the past six decades, Indian Courts have provided compensation for the loss of life of homemakers in road accidents. Despite paltry sums being awarded in a few cases, in the landmark judgment of Lata Wadhwa v. State of Bihar, a standard was fixed with 36,000 per annum for women aged 34-59 years and 20,000 per annum for older women. This was notable at the time but illustrates the approach of the judiciary.
In an appeal before the Delhi High Court, it was contended that since the homemaker does not have any proof of income or education, the wages for compensation cannot be calculated. This contention was rejected and it was observed that the calculation of compensation for the demise of a homemaker should be computed comprehensively, considering both the value of the services offered by her as well as the various roles fulfilled by them.
In Kriti v. Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd., an appeal lay before the apex court dealing with the grant of Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation to the children of a deceased housewife. This case is the foot in the door that might bring in legislative and judicial efforts in this arena. This shows that the judiciary has viewed marriage as an ‘equal economic partnership’ and can be said to be the first effort by the Indian government to equate unpaid domestic work to that of paid work. In this case, it was held that the notion that homemakers do not contribute any economic value to society and cannot be on par with that of an earning member was observed to be regressive. Despite international movements and national efforts towards Homemaker pay, India’s Parliament does not seem to have it figured out.
Ongoing initiatives within the country:
The Tamil Nadu government initiated its Homemaker Pay Scheme called the Kalaignar Women’s Entitlement Scheme. The scheme is designed to provide social security to those women who are in poverty, destitute, and who are vulnerable to societal and economic risks such as emotional and physical abuse. The amount offered under the scheme is Rs.1000. While it may seem meager to some, it makes the difference from skipping meals to having one more.
Challenges and Barriers:
- Who is to pay?
One of the arguments that every individual opposed to such a payment is that there is no clarity as to who should pay the same. In Arun Kumar Agarwal v. National Insurance Company, it was observed that it is not possible to quantify any amount in lieu of the services rendered by the wife/mother to the father/children. The term ‘services’ is to be given a broad interpretation and adequate compensation has to be given instead of the loss of gratuitous service rendered by the deceased.
This approach of the court is appreciable. However, vesting the responsibility of payment with the husband cannot be a viable solution, as it is once again placing the purse strings in the control of the family. Moreover, enforcement in this case would have to be extremely balanced and nuanced to not intervene in the private affairs of a family. While documentation as to the transfer of funds to the homemaker’s account can be obtained, the question as to whether the amount is utilized to ensure the security of the woman is doubtful. If the responsibility is vested with the government, it can cause undue fiscal burden on the state and is unlikely to be paid in times of fiscal deficit.
- How should the amount be computed?
The paid labor sector is also riddled with problems concerning the calculation of compensation or wages, which is constantly subject to inflation and deflation in the country. When it comes to unpaid domestic work, the Indian judiciary as discussed earlier has given us a lead to create a functional model.
Justice Ramana in the Kriti v. Oriental Insurance Co. case wrote that “there can be no fixed approach” and “it is to be understood that in such cases the attempt by the court is to fix an approximate economic value for all the work that a homemaker does, impossible though that task may be. Courts must keep in mind the idea of awarding just compensation in such cases, looking to the facts and circumstances”.
The ruling added that:
- “there can be no exact calculation or formula that can magically ascertain the true value provided by an individual gratuitously for those that they are near and dear to. The attempt of the court in such matters should therefore be towards determining, in the best manner possible, the truest approximation of the value added by a homemaker for the purpose of granting monetary compensation”.
- How to accommodate the difference in opinions?
Opinions of those in power to legislate for this welfare initiative and those who are covered matter significantly. There is significant debate opposing this initiative on various grounds, Even some women themselves believe that their work done out of love and affection becomes insignificant if payment for the same is made. It is seen as commercializing relationships between members of a family and there is an intangible element to their work that cannot be quantified. It might reinforce gender norms and set back a woman’s independence on different fronts as the financial front is satisfied.
POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS:
Various authors recommend the inclusion of ‘Homemaking’ in the GDP despite the fact that it is considered a non-economic activity. It is stated that inclusion into the GDP is the right move and confers value to this previously undervalued resource. The rationale behind this inclusion is that it would aid in the movement towards:
- Payment of a subsidy by the government or,
- Legislation to divide financial resources between the husband and wife or,
- Setting forth an almost universal basic income.
- On the question of: Who is to pay?
A system similar to the tripartite under ILO can be adopted whereby the different resources may be combined to create a more conducive environment for the beneficiaries without shouldering the entire responsibility on the husband or the government. The care diamond approach is such a combination of efforts between the government, non-governmental entities, the family, the public sector, and the markets. This includes not only financial relief to the homemaker but also infrastructural facilities that help women balance their needs with those of the other members.
- On the question of: How to calculate?
Establishing a clear framework for the calculation of wages for the homemaker is out of the scope of this article. However, the considerations as stated in the recent case by Justice Ramana will serve as a remarkable starting point to develop a sensible legislation that caters to this unrecognized but invaluable contribution.
- On the question of: How to accommodate the difference in opinions?
While the arguments are to be considered, homemakers’ pay is a social security concept that softens the blow when something untoward happens. The benefits needn’t be completely financial, with different variations being introduced to accommodate for the differences in needs that women from different cultures might have.
CONCLUSION:
Socially, there are discussions about homemakers being parasitic on their husbands, contributing ‘nothing’ to the family whereas on the other hand attempts to remove such alleged parasitic effects such as homemaker’s pay are unnecessary and likely to destroy the institution of the family. It can be argued that such a system works and the woman in question is having all her basic needs met and that it is ‘give and take’. This is, however, based on precarious conditions and taking away a woman’s responsibility over her own life. The inclusion of more women into the paid work sector is a ‘one size fits all’ or a melting pot approach.
Homemaker’s pay is thus the inclusion of individuals vulnerable to the ill effects of prolonged and unpaid domestic labor. The job of a homemaker is always demanding, where the woman is almost in a glass box with every one of her actions noticed and criticized. A change in mindset is always advocated as a solution to these kinds of societal problems. However, it is the bitter truth that rightful value comes with financial recognition.
Written by:
Akshaya P.A
School of Excellence in Law, TNDALU.