A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON WOMEN'S ROLE IN INTRAHOUSEHOLD DECISION-MAKING IN KOREAN AND THE PHILIPPINE RICE FARMING HOUSEHOLDS

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to contribute to a greater understanding of the similarities and differences in intrahousehold decision-making patterns between Korea and the Philippines based on survey data targeting married, rice-farming households. We focused on factors influencing intrahousehold decision-making patterns, as this area has received relatively less coverage in the research related to gender roles. As a result of a regression analysis, we found a common influential factor, termed here as ‘household member’, and compared decision-making patterns and social activities between households with and without a husband in each country. Our findings from this study are as follows: 1) Although Korea scored higher in agricultural work and the Philippines scored higher score in nonagricultural work, there was no significant difference in the total score. 2) The factors which affected intrahousehold decision-making patterns were slightly different between two countries. The common factors which affected the decision-making structure were the ‘total size of landholdings’ and ‘household member’. The variable of ‘household member’ was the most influential on decision-making patterns in both countries. 3) In Korea, the difference of the rate of wives' village meeting participation between the groups with and without a husband was very significant. This study showed that women’s over-empowerment not resulting from a normal condition as much as men’s over-authority could be in question; there may be a need for social support for those doing agricultural and nonagricultural work by themselves.

The purpose of this study is to contribute to a greater understanding of the similarities and differences in intrahousehold decision-making patterns between Korea and the Philippines based on survey data targeting married, rice-farming households. We focused on factors influencing intrahousehold decision-making patterns, as this area has received relatively less coverage in the research related to gender roles. As a result of a regression analysis, we found a common influential factor, termed here as ‘household member’, and compared decision-making patterns and social activities between households with and without a husband in each country. Our findings from this study are as follows: 1) Although Korea scored higher in agricultural work and the Philippines scored higher score in nonagricultural work, there was no significant difference in the total score. 2) The factors which affected intrahousehold decision-making patterns were slightly different between two countries. The common factors which affected the decision-making structure were the ‘total size of landholdings’ and ‘household member’. The variable of ‘household member’ was the most influential on decision-making patterns in both countries. 3) In Korea, the difference of the rate of wives' village meeting participation between the groups with and without a husband was very significant. This study showed that women’s over-empowerment not resulting from a normal condition as much as men’s over-authority could be in question; there may be a need for social support for those doing agricultural and nonagricultural work by themselves.