Perceptions of Panamanian Women Concerning the Roles of Women

Abstract

This paper discusses the perceptions- women have of their family roles and the changes these perceptions are undergoing. The 71 women in the sample were interviewed as to their backgrounds and family situations and asked to respond to a questionnarie concerning their perceptions of the role of women. Although Urban women and those with higher educations were more egalitarian in their views, the sample, in general, appeared to no longer subscribe to a highly structured, traditional family ideology. There were, however, certain ambiguities expressed. For example, although the sample (most women were employed outside the home) expressed a basic equality value in the areas of educational opportunity and occupational compensation, the majority believed that men were to be the heads of the family and women’s place was in the home.