Home Maid – College Essay Example

to the increase in the number of home maids. The life of a maid is not an easy one.

Majority of maids are the primary wage earners f their family and almost all of them have their own children to care for. Also, most of these women have alcoholics for husbands who torture them. Eventually, some of these women leave their husbands due to their abusive behavior. Thus, they become the primary earner with the responsibility of their home. They face severe financial difficulties and undertake work at multiple households to support the family and to make ends meet. Being the bread winner of the family makes way for their empowerment as they get the power to make choices for themselves and their family.

They also achieve more self-respect and confidence by their contributions. There are no standard norms that decide working conditions. Generally, employers decide wages often by the 'rate' of the area they live in. Other factors that influence are the bargaining power of the maid, her desperation for work and the type of tasks performer . Most AT ten malls live In Deterrent types AT slum settlements wanly are In the neighborhood of the middle and upper class homes. This makes it convenient and time saving to find work in close vicinity.

The living conditions are also bad- revise like water and toilets are not easily accessible. Moreover, the whole family has to cramp in one small room which gives no privacy. Besides this, they have no access to any form of childcare services. They often leave their own children alone while they go to take care of others' children. Many of

the maids have little or no savings for their old age. They are not entitled to any old-age pensions, gratuity or bonus. They have no medical insurance and all expenses of illness, hospitalizing of self and family are borne by themselves.

Neither do they have any coverage for Hilbert, injury at work place or loans to build houses or other social responsibilities. Such loans or grants, as all other benefits, depend on their relation with the employer and the employer's goodwill. Though these women spend major part of their day doing domestic chores at other people's home, but once they are back at their home no one is there to offer a helping hand to lessen the burden. They perform the same task again and again. Thus, the status, working conditions and the living conditions of this occupation is not very favorable.

It includes little time off, Eng hours, lack of privacy, strenuous work and substandard pay. The demand for maids is ever increasing. Arbitration has resulted in large number of nuclear families and couples who need help for household chores and maintenance. With the increased awareness about gender Justice and greater access to education, more women are active participants in the mainstream economic sector. These women, who work in offices and other places outside the home, emphasis that a maid is a necessity for them as they have responsibilities at home and work and need a helping hand to Juggle between the two.

It is also observed that employing a domestic help is a status symbol for some households and not employing a maid is viewed disparagingly. In spite of their low status in

the society, maids have always formed an integral part of society. The fact that there is a sustained 'demand and supply of maids shows their importance and the power of this group of women. If a maid is absent for one day the routine of the whole household gets disrupted. The ever expanding workload has made maids a necessity and has increased our dependence on them. The role played by maids in our life is of great importance and must therefore be given more value.