Age and the attitudes of South African Indians towards the employment of married women

Abstract

Abstract The discussion is based on data obtained from a descriptive study of the social system and processes of the family institution of the Indian community in the Durban-Pietermaritzburg area. The research, in pllrt, probed the possibility that attitudes within the Indian community toward women entering the labour market may have changed from opposition to acceptance, mainly due to the effects of social change occurring in South Africa. The research was guided by the following working hypothesis: The younger the respondents, the more pragmatic their attitude towards the employment of married women. Six variables were used to test the working hypothesis. The results rejected the hypothesis, there being no significant difference in attitude towards working women among the various age groups. All age groups agreed that employing married women in the work force would have detrimental effects on family life. However, social circumstances compel women to enter the work force.