Problems of Working Mothers in Socializing Children: A Study on Rajshahi Metropolitan City

Abstract

Traditionally, responsibility of housekeeping and child raring solely remain with the women in Bangladesh society. Nowadays, as increasing number of women are involving in earning activities outside home; this has become extremely difficult for them. This is mainly because of the fact that men in Bangladesh society hardly involve in responsibilities of housekeeping and child raring. In fact, engagement in activities outside home is an additional new role for the Bangladeshi women as the responsibilities of housekeeping and child raring still remain solely with them. Proper child raring is extremely crucial as children are the future citizen of any country. Socialization is an important aspect of child development through which a child turns as a social being. The integrity of the society much depends on the proper socialization of children. Although there are agents of socialization family, exclusively mother, is the key among ail. Hence, if mother fails to perform her duty, proper socialization may be hampered. This is not expected at all. As already mentioned women in Bangladesh society increasingly taking part in work outside home and men are hardly look after house and children how far the working women are able to play their role in the socialization process of children has become a prime issue. Particularly important is what are the problems faced by the working mothers in socializing their children. The present study focuses on this issue of problems working mother in socialization of their children. For the purpose, data were collected through face to face interview from the working mothers (both upper class and lower class) of a metropolitan city named Rajshahi of Bangladesh. It is evident from the study findings that the working mothers have faced problems in their household activities like feeding, cooking, cleaning, bedding and shopping. It is also evident that the working mothers have greatly faced problems in socialization of their children. The problems are more prevalent among the upper class working mothers compared to lower class working mothers. In the absence of institutionalized socialization provisions, such as day care centers, upper class working mothers mostly depend on maid servant to look after their children while they are in work outside home. So the children of the upper class working mother become accustomed with the habits of maid servant. Especially the language skills, appreciation of the other's role, loyalty to the senior are being severely influenced by the maid servant in the absence of mother. Based on the findings it may be recommended that child care facilities like day care center, child home, nursery etc. should be established and leave of the working mothers such maternity leave, casual leave, children's rearing leave should be increased to ensure proper socialization of the working mothers to fulfill and minimize their needs.