Husband's Views on the Impact of Working Status of their Wives on Family Life

Abstract

Background: Working Women have to look after the family and earn to meet financial needs. Husband is the most important person who can provide much needed support and encouragement. Objective: To explore husband's views on impact of working status of women on their own life and that of their husbands and family. Methodology: A Questionnaire based survey of working women's husbands was carried out at out-patient services of three tertiary level hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan from October 2011 to February 2012. Questionnaire was developed based on study objectives and included demographic profile of respondents. Written Informed Consent form was filled by participants and confidentiality assurance was provided. Results: 395 husbands were interviewed. The mean age was 41.56 ± 28.18 years with majority having more than grade XII education (70.4%). According to husbands: 171 (43.30 0) women were working due to need alone and 193 (48.9%) were finding it difficult to carry out home responsibilities; extra understanding and support from the family was received by 344 (87.1%) and 320 (81.0%) women respectively: 235 (59.0%) women did not have enough time for themselves; domestic help was available to 271 (68.6%) women and 92 (23.3%) felt harassed at work; 152 (38.5%) women felt guilty because they were unable to give time to their family; 245 (62.0%) felt that confidence among children of working women was higher; 230 (58.2%) felt children of working women perform better in practical life; 268 (67,8%) said status of working women is better; 217(54.9%) felt their wife's health had been affected negatively due to work and 260 (66.1%) felt that financial benefits outweigh other disadvantages. 314 (79.5%) agree all women in future will have to work and 285 men (72.2%) supported that women should work. Conclusions: A need exists to improve the working conditions and home situation including husband's support for working women in our society.