Educational Research International Vol. 3(2) April 2014
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Copyright © 2014 SAVAP International ISSN: 2307-3721, e ISSN: 2307-3713
www.savap.org.pk 116 www.erint.savap.org.pk
Practices of Time and Energy Management in Household Activities by
Homemakers Working in Different Colleges of Karachi
Madiha Maryam
1
, Parveen Saeed
2
Hamdard Institute of Education and Social Sciences,
Hamdard University, Karachi
PAKISTAN.
1
madihamaryam@hotmail.com
ABSTRACT
The main aim of the study was to find out the practices of time and energy
management in household tasks by ‘Working Home Makers’ who are employed in
different educational institutions (Govt.) of Karachi. The scope of the study was
limited to time and energy management in household tasks of homemakers working in
different government colleges of Karachi. A sample of 200 homemakers was taken.
Results revealed that working homemakers have knowledge of simplifying
homemaking tasks but they practice work simplification methods in Dishwashing,
Food preparation and housecleaning. They hire paid help in Laundering and
housecleaning
Keywords: time and energy management, household activities, working
homemakers
INTRODUCTION
During the last ten years there has been a colossal rise in the number of women entering the
labor market of Pakistan due to inflation and technological development. These changing
standards and values forced homemaker to enter the mainstream employment. Despite all the
changing norms of our society it appears that society still scrutinize woman as a mother,
daughter and wife along with employment.
Working homemaker want to accomplish more work within limited amount of time that is 24
hours as day and energy as reciprocal to this all they face psychological issues which affect
their performance at both ends.
Household tasks in most of the countries are considered as unpaid work force though they
involve loads of time and energy consumption of home makers. The 2001 Pakistan
Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) revealed that more than 80% respondents reported
that they decide what to cook whether alone or in consensus with another family member
(Arshad et al., 2008). It is also discussed in the same study that tasks such as cooking,
dishwashing, ironing, washing clothes, cleaning house are if contract out it would sum up
around Rs. 4000/ month (Arshad et al., 2008, p. 14) Dishwashing is done only once by the
paid worker and rest of the time it is lady of the house’s responsibility.
This figure explains clearly the importance of unpaid working home makers. In the midst of
such situations homemaker would lose terribly on effectiveness and efficiency. Its negative
blow leads to mental stress and physical disorders. Irritable grumpy behavior at work and
dullness would impact greatly on working homemaker performance.
In Pakistan, women are mostly involved in education sector and this field is one of the least
vulnerable in terms of job security. (Statistics Division, Govt. of Pakistan, March 2012).
Number of holidays with half day time dedication and steady income stream are seen
beneficial particularly to female as this field allows women to manage both work and family