The perception of housewife role in 21st century

In history the notion that women first of all needs to be a mother and a housewife prevailed. With industrialization the doors to formal work had opened for women, however they needed to combine both the role of a housewife and the role of a worker. This had not only brought about a bigger burden to women but also impacted on the efficiency of their work in both spheres (in the private sphere and at the workplace). In the diploma thesis I present a perception of a housewife and the work of a housewife as well as the division of labour between the partners and women's balancing of family and professional life in 21st century. The results of the interviews conducted with 12 interviewees of the age between 15 and 65 years reveal how individuals see the role and characteristics of a housewife in the 21st century; how they estimate their own success in balancing of professional, family and free time; and what is their opinion on the proper recognition of housewives' work. Analysis of interviews have shown that the role of a housewife in 21st century is percieved as both – taking care of the household and being engaged in the formal work. Furthermore, the interviewees see the role of a housewife in the 21st century as a role females play. Also, they find balancing of professional, family and free time difficult. In spite of the fact that men increasingly participate in taking care of a household and in raising children there are always women who bare most of the burden in a household. The interviewees believe that the work of housewives need to be appropriately recognized. Typically they refer to cooking, ironing, washing of clothes, tiding and cleaning the house. Our research finding is that perceptions of a housewife in the 21st century do not differ according to gender