"Men Should Earn the Money": 83% of Women Agree, Hitting a 30-Year High in This Country

83% of Filipino Women "Prefer Being Full-Time Homemakers"

Experts: "Reflects Impact of Social Structures"

In the Philippines, which is regarded as the country with the highest level of gender equality in Asia, a significant number of women still place greater value on the family than on entering the workforce. Despite the modernization of society and the advancement of women's rights, there is an increasing tendency for women to be satisfied with traditional gender roles and to hold the value of family in high regard. This is interpreted as a reflection of the Philippines' cultural and economic structure.

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On March 16 (local time), the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, citing a survey by the Philippine polling agency Social Weather Stations (SWS), that a majority of Filipino women agree with the perception that "a woman's role is in the home."

"Full-time homemakers feel as accomplished as working women"

The survey found that 83% of female respondents agreed with the statement, "Men earn money and women take care of the home and family." This figure is 13 percentage points higher than in 1994, about 30 years ago, when 70% agreed with the same statement.

In the same survey, 81% of women said that being a full-time homemaker is just as fulfilling as having a paid job, while 75% agreed with the view that "having a job is good, but most women ultimately want a family and children."

The 'paradox' of a gender-equal nation

Interestingly, these perceptions stand in contrast to the Philippines' reputation for gender equality in the international community. The Philippines has consistently ranked among the top Asian countries in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Gender Gap Index. In particular, in 2018, the country was ranked first in Asia for gender equality, and it has been recognized as an egalitarian nation in numerous international surveys.

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Experts point out that this cannot be seen simply as a matter of women's "choice." As of last year, the labor force participation rate for women in the Philippines was about 53.5%, significantly lower than that of men (75.8%). Analysts note that many women are shouldering the dual burden of domestic work and caregiving amid a labor market with structural challenges and wage disparities.

Perceptions shaped by social and economic structures

The women's rights group GABRIELA Alliance of Filipino Women pointed out that the survey results are more likely to reflect perceptions formed within social structures rather than entirely free personal choices. The organization explained that cultural norms defining women's roles as family-centered have been repeatedly reinforced through education, media, and home environments.

Furthermore, relatively limited job opportunities and lower wage levels for women are also cited as factors that reinforce these perceptions. In the absence of stable employment opportunities, unpaid caregiving labor can be seen as a realistic option.

Some experts also mention that discriminatory practices in politics may have influenced these attitudes. They point out that misogynistic remarks by certain politicians may have negatively impacted women's perceptions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.