Gender Issues in Sri Lanka Essay

Gender issues In worldwide, when considering third initiation countries, to the highest degree would say that they eat up some precise similar characteristics. Third world countries atomic number 18 often thought of as places that are impoverished, stir importantly high birthrates, are economically dependent on advanced countries, and mystify non evolved socially in regards to match right(a)s issues. Although umpteen of these characteristics do obligate to Sri Lanka, the latter has definitely evoked some discussion on the issuance of sexuality issues in underdeveloped countries.Issues such as decision fashioning in the family line, educated women and their role in society, and attitudes towards women in employment lead be discussed. As stated earlier, most would agree that from a far-flung perspective Sri Lanka would seem to be socially underdeveloped in regards to equal rights. One way that this misconception is debunked is by smell at the roles of male and youn g- fork outing(prenominal) in the household. There are many variables to take into consideration when looking at roles of family members and who has the balance of power for instance, if the wife is working or not could be considered at both ends of the scale.If she is working than her keep up whitethorn touch that because she is making a financial contri neverthelession she has more than of a right to make important economic decisions that may effect the family. On the different hand he may face as though her organism away from the children is a detriment to their upbringing, and in turn is placing a incumbrance upon the family leaving the wife with few interior(prenominal) decisions. Another variable that has to be considered is if the residence is with the husbands family or if it is with the wifes family.In this case angiotensin-converting enzyme would assume that whichever house was being resided in would have the balance of the say towards family decisions. The last variable that give be considered is that of matrimonial duration. Does a longer marriage necessarily mean that the financial and domestic decisions of the household will become split evenly between the husband and wife? The answers to these questions were the focus of a study conducted by Anju Malhotra and Mark Mather in 1992. The study showed that when the wives were working, regardless of whether or not they shared their wages or kept them, they had an increase say on financial matters.However, the domestic decisions were not nearly as great, especially if the wages earned by the wife were kept for herself (Malhotra et al. 1997 620). When looking at the balance of power in regards to household arrangement, the study found that the wife had almost no say on financial matters when living at the husbands parents house but did have some say on domestic issues. The opposite it avowedly for when the family resided at the wifes parents house. The wife typically had a substantive say on financial and domestic matters with the latter outweighing the both (Malhotra et al. 1997 620).As far as marital duration is concerned, it seems as though as the family grows together there is somewhat of a role reversal. The husband becomes more concerned with domestic matters and the wife takes some responsibility for the financial decisions (Malhotra et al. 1997620). These findings conduct my research group to believe that the people of Sri Lanka are generally really similar to those of western societies in regards to household decisions. Education is not something we specify about when speaking about developing countries, many assume that it is honest not an option for underprivileged people.Although that is the unfortunate truth that effects many third world countries, it does seem that Sri Lanka is on its way to recovering itself. For many years the gender rift between male and feminine scholars call for to be decreased. In the early 1980s the percentage of the tota l enumerate of people with university degrees that were women was barely above 40%. A more alarming fact might be that the percentage with post-graduate degrees was barely above 25% (Ahooja-Patel K. 1979 217).The majority of women pursuing a degree usually did so in the fine arts category or the education and teacher prepare fields, many staying away from disciplines such as business or engineering. Although these poesy may seem staggering Sri Lanka has shown some promise in footing of social welfare. Programs are now in place to encourage female education and to decrease the inequalities women face today. In the early 1990s the gender gap between literate males and females was only a 5% leaving (Malhotra et al. 1997 602).Many believe that the more westernized Sri Lanka becomes the more independent the thoughts and wills of women will expand, creating a country of little inequality. Women in the work force today in western society face many barriers this is after years of act to refine the social economic status of women. In Sri Lanka, because of its poor economy, employers may have actual complaints that may affect the profitability of their business. In general in Sri Lanka, men are usually preferred over women as employees.Some employers complain that because of the possibility of the need for time off to bear children that it may disrupt the flow of the work force. Many men could witness as though women were being treated with undeserved favoritism, which could cause conflict. Others feel that the financial burden of having to install proper facilities to accommodate women could create similarly much of a loss that they would not be able to get the hang it. The topic of most discussions seems to revolve around the Maternity Amendment Act of 1978, which states that women workers are entitled to six weeks maternity leave with pay.It also states that they are allowed two nursing breaks of one hour each or two breaks of one half hour each when a day care magnetic core is available (Ahooja-Patel K. 1979 219). Women cannot, under the law, be fired for any reason that stems from them being pregnant. An unfortunate fact that is slowly being eradicated is that many women are fair not qualified for the jobs that are available in Sri Lanka. Because of the gender gap in education and training that has plagued Sri Lanka for years this trend will sure continue until the inequality has subsided.In many ways Sri Lanka has come very far in terms of gender equality when discussing kinship and education. However, womens economic situation has shown to be less favourable. The people of Sri Lanka acknowledge that women have a place in the work force but financially cannot accommodate them. Until the economic growth of Sri Lanka can develop further, people will continue to have the survival of the fittest kind of attitude, which will continue to relinquish and repress the women or Sri Lanka.