Socio-Economic Study of the Productive Role of Married Women in West Nusa Tenggara

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze socio-economic factors (women's education, husband's education, wages, family income, non-labor income, household expenditure) that encourage the productive role (work participation) of married women in West Nusa Tenggara. The research was conducted using qualitative ethnomethodological methods by trying to explain the reality of the socio-economic dimension of the productive role of married women in West Nusa Tenggara. Data was obtained from married female informants who worked as key informants, while family members, and other related informants, as accompanying informants (as well as for validation tests). The results of the study show a social (non-economic) aspect, for those who are highly educated, they want to devote the knowledge they have obtained. However, in addition to these reasons, there are also women who choose to work because they feel subjective, such as bored with the routine of taking care of the house, or because of the assumption that by working, their association and status are better than just being housewives. The basic assumption of all married women who perform productive roles is as a source of additional income. From the economic aspect, the condition of low-income households (poor families) has a target level of income in line with the level of subsistence. That the productive role of married women will depend on the husband's ability to generate income compared to the income target. If the husband's income is below the income target, the wife will work more to achieve the subsistence needs. The findings of this study can be concluded that there are two major reasons why married women in West Nusa Tenggara to perform dual roles, namely because it is a "must" and because of a "desire".