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For centuries
paid work was essentially considered men’s work, although poor women have always worked
as domestic servants,in farming and at home in spinning and weaving. The main task and
burden of women was child bearing, child rearing and home making. When they entered the
labour force in large numbers during the industrial revolution they were paid less than
their male counterparts, were exploited and discriminated against.Unions were male
dominated and heavy manual work ,which paid best, was not easy for a woman. Educated women
worked as teachers, nurses and then as clerks and secretaries.Slowly their rights to equal
opportunity and reward have been recognised, they have been provided with access to
training and to some extent their special needs for more flexible hours, maternity leave
and child care arrangements have been acknowledged.Women are still harassed in the
workplace but their special skills and abilities are increasingly recognised and the folly
of misusing half the workforce recognised-as ill-afforded folly. Young children with
their small frames and quick,
nimble fingers have been used in occupations from carpet making to chimney sweeping.There
is a history of long hours, poor pay and grim conditions and no attempt at education.The
children of the poor can be vital to the economy of a family and the total outlawing of
child labour may do more harm.
The prisoner is often given little or meaningless work to do in prison-picking oakum,
sewing mail bags. The chance of a realistic wage and teaching a useful skill seems remote
around the world. After release the prisoner has difficulty in obtaining work
,particularly in times of recession. He may have long periods of idleness,he has no skill.
I t is fatally easy to revert to the previous petty recidivism. |
