Abstract
The situation of working mothers is very engaging with major curls and turns, numerous actions, feelings and various approaches. Although, women struggles to secure job opportunities and contribute to the economy where they live, challenges such as socio- economic factors, government legislative among other factors restrict their opportunities towards achieving their goals.
This is in contrast with men. In Saudi Arabia, government policies and sociocultural aspects favors men, hence, more they benefit with more opportunities in terms of employment.
However, in United States, fairness and lack of socio- cultural restricts allows both men and women to have similar opportunities in terms of employment.
This paper, through the findings, asserts that, in societies where strong legislation, social systems and economic structures are present, more women can be granted more opportunities, thus competing effectively with their male counterparts besides contributing to the economic wellbeing of their nations.
Introduction
The responsibilities of a working woman are very challenging and especially if she is a mother. A mother has to cultivate emotional strength and embrace the power of determination within her, to balance most of her demanding schedule.
Kestenbaum (2004) notes that, with about 70 million women working and 62%, most working mothers find it extremely difficult to infer a balance between working and the traditional roles at home.
Thus, combining house chores and career is the reason behind why more working mothers presently are diagnosed with more stress than working fathers (Kestenbaum, 2004).
However with efficient and appropriate government legislation, equality and elaborate system encompassing all genders, women responsibilities can typically reduce, thus aiding in a more independent and productive environment which promotes economic and personal development.
Through literature review, observation, reports and survey, this research paper compares men and women participation in Saudi Arabian and the US labor force. The paper also identifies causes of poor participation by women in the Saudi labor force. Further, the paper compares the socio cultural and legislative measures in the US and Saudi Arabia.
Purpose
The purpose of this research is identifying whether mothers in Saudi Arabia are participating equally as their men in labor and compare this comparison with what is experienced in the US. The research will then determine the causes of the differences.
Both qualitative and quantitative methods will be used in the collection of data.
Methodology
This research paper mainly relied on literature review, observation, reports and survey available on similarities between working mothers in Saudi Arabia and United States. These documents were used to compile data in this research paper. For the most part, correlation between working mothers in US and Saudi will be studied.
Rationale
A survey of Saudi Arabian job market discloses immense challenges and prospects. According to Women Living under Muslim Laws (2010), a study carried out in 2007 revealed that 85.6 % in employment were mostly men. Women labor force had the remaining 26.9 % this is almost four times of men. These findings are connected to various factors.
Culture is one area, which exhibit a link, with this phenomenon. Cultural environment present for women has contributed to limited participation of working mothers in Saudi Arabian job economy (Women Living under Muslim Laws, 2010).
The existing custom and social barricade anchored on strict Islamic laws favor Arabian men thus hampering women success. Another factor which necessitates this discrepancy is the education. The national system of education has also failed to furnish the Saudi Arabian mothers for modest roles in the job market.
Gender stereotyping has played a role in influencing dissemination of a given type of education for women. Most educational institutions and vocational training centers emphasize science disciplines as a preserve for male hence there is limited participation of women in this area.
Women folk have been limited to disciplines of service and teaching. According to Almunajjed (2011) in 2007, females who graduated from universities specialized in humanities and education.
According to Women Living under Muslim Laws (2010) in 2007, it is estimated that about 26.6 of women in Saudi Arabia over the age of 15 were illiterate, with only 3% illiterate women finding an active role in job market, besides, more than 1milion Arabian women are incapable of being absorbed in the labor market because of lack of relevant education and skills.
Full participation of population whether male or female, requires requisite knowledge, which can enhance, and sustain the economy whereas improving his or her lifestyle
Consequently, the Saudi Arabian kingdom is not only affected by inadequate job opportunities for women, but also women intentional unemployment practices.
They are selective in terms of job choice, frequently refusing to do low-paying, unskilled or manual work Although, the Saudi Arabia kingdom has endeavored to recognize the role of women in contribution to its economy, a variety of occupational, education, legal and social factors as remained a huge obstacle in meeting this goal.
These constraints have been attributed to government lack of ratified legislations, which encourages equality, among men and women partaking in the labor market.
Besides, the government has failed to establish policies that enhance opportunities for women and institutional systems that guarantee women well ness at their workplaces. This is in contrast with their male counterparts (Almunajjed, 2011). The government has clear policies such as; elaborate working conditions and progression level among other policies.
According to Kestenbaum (2004), in United States, there are a more women in formal job market. According to, the United States policies have equal employment opportunities for men and women. One of the government policies is equality in education resources.
United States has regarded women and male as equal thus; education opportunities are dispersed with stereotyping (Kestenbaum, 2004). good education and support have contributed to more women securing white-collar jobs dominated by their male counterparts, hence; they can be found occupying managerial or other professional positions across the country.
To contribute efficiently to economic well-being of the nation, the United States government provides public day care arrangements for mothers. Kestenbaum (2004), notes that, over 8 – 15 million school ages are taken care of day care givers during the normal working hours of a mother. This has establishes flexibility and motivation towards work.
Consequently, the introduction of computers has shaped the working pattern of mothers in the United States. Some organizations have embraced the telecommuting approach thus enabling mothers to work at the comfort of their home whereas pursuing other activities.
According to America Government Archive (2008) telecommuting was one of the fasted option arrangements in the US since 2004. However, the approach entails discipline in adhering to strict working hours.
Social Cultural and legislative Factors – Saudi Arabia and United States
Social and cultural issues and legislative factors have underlined the role of women participation in the job market (Freedom House, 2011). The Saudi Arabia comprises of social cultures which prohibit women participating fully in attaining full potential in relation to job opportunities.
According to Women Living under Muslim Laws (2010), education is viewed as a preserve for male, thus; less efforts are been taken to educate women. The culture designates that, educating a female child will lead to waste of resources unlike educating a male child.
Moreover, as noted earlier in the paper, female are discouraged to undertake challenging disciplines such as sciences, it is a culture that, these disciplines are a preserve for males.
The strict Islamic rules, limit free association of women, men and women are viewed differently in the sense that, they are different species. For instance, when women interact with their male relatives, women do not have that freedom of freely interaction with their male first cousins without their face covered.
This is in contrast with women in the United States. Freedom House (2011) asserts that, sociocultural and legislative aspects enhances participation and provides flexibility for women and their choices. The society is not restricted or tied to any cultural affiliations.
Besides, the United States has legislations such as equal opportunities in terms of education and employment among women and male (America Government Archive, 2008).
Conclusion
A society which exhibit favorable legislations, social systems and economic structures increases women participation and creates more employment opportunities and promotes equality among the genders.
Social norms and strict Islamic culture have restricted more women participation in Saudi Arabia job market. Factors such as; male superiority, education systems and inefficient government policies in place have contributed to lower women in formal employment.
This has been a reverse for United States. United States government policies, equality, education system and open social structures encourage active participation of women. Thus, these bring about continuous employment opportunities and privileges (The United States Department of Labor, 2011).
To bridge the gap between the differences existing between working mothers in the Saudi Arabia and United States, a number of approaches have to be factored. This will establish a favorable atmosphere exists, thus contributing to economic growth of individual countries.
One of the approach is that; Saudi Arabia government has to streamline education system and make it equally and affordable to both male and female. Strong emphasis should be geared towards market oriented disciplines.
Consequently, female students should be encouraged to take up disciplines which are market oriented. Secondly, the government should confirm consistency in terms of employment opportunities. This will reduce male domination thus creating a balanced system.
Thirdly, the Saudi Arabia government has to institute policies that promote freedom of choice and opportunities. This is to demonstrate that, policies to curb socio- cultural issues and encourage active participation of all genders without fear.
Moreover, as the world is changing as a result of technology, policies to promote telecommuting can be of importance to mothers. Thus, telecommuting will significantly help mothers to balance work and family life, besides creating more job opportunities.
Lastly, the Saudi Arabia have a policy which can be beyond employment, a plan such as addressing entrepreneurial and investment strategy for women can play a vital role in creating opportunities for more women.
Reserve fund should be established, besides creating employment for women as business ladies, the resources can be used in uplifting Saudi Arabia economy as a whole.
References List
Almunajjed, M. (2011). Women’s Employment in Saudi Arabia. The Ideation Center. Web.
America Government Archive. (2008). Decades ofchange-1960 to 1980. The rise of cultural and ethnic pluralism. Web.
Freedom House. (2011). Saudi Arabia. Web.
Kestenbaum, C. J. (2004). “Having It All: The Professional Mother’s Dilemma.” Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry 32 (1), pp. 117– 24.
The United States Department of Labor. (2011). Employment status of women by presence and age of the youngest child, 1975 to 2002. Web.
Women Living under Muslim Laws. (2010). Saudi Arabia: Women and Unemployment. Web.