The context of women's work decisions in DKI Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Tin's study is alioiil woinen's work decisions in Keawiatan Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta. It includes the analysis of macro and micro data using both quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection and analysis. The analysis of macro data is based on original analysis of a subset of he 1985 Intercensal Survey (1985 SUPAS) data for DKI Jakarta, which yielded quantitative analysis, while the micro data analysis is based on both a quantitative and qualitative case study carried out in Kecamatan Pasar Rebo. The analysis of the 1985 SUPAS distinguislies between women's and men's labour force participation and working hours, based on their individual and household characteristics, and between working women and houseworkers to provide an indirect indication of women's work decisions. The Pasar Rebo case study analysis focuses on female houseworkers, women who work in the market outside the home and women who carry out market work at home, these being the major work options for women in Pasar Rebo. Working women are defined as those who worked to earn an income, salary or profit, while houseworkers are defined as those who did only domestic and other household-related work without payment. The study found that the context of women's work decisions could not be adequately explained by quantitative macro or micro level data analysis. A more complete understanding of the context of women's work decisions required both the quantitative and qualitative approaches. The analysis of the 1985 SUPAS data revealed significant differences in women's characteristics according to their work status, but did not explain anything about the context of women's work decisions. The case study analysis revealed that very few women in Pasar Rebo were able to make free and unconstrained choices about their work activities. Women's work choices were constrained by family attitudes, social values and the heavy demand on women's labour at home. When a decision did appear to have been made, many of the women seemed to have played no major role in that decisions, merely following what had been decided by other family members (especially male members). The small group of women who seemed to have taken an active role in decision-making about their work were those with relatively high educational levels and strong personalities and characters, or those who possessed personal capital resources.