Ghanaian Women: Balancing Work and Family Life

Most women in Ghana - the educated and illiterate, the urban and rural, the young and old - work to earn an income in addition to maintaining their roles as housewives and mothers. Their reputation for economic independence, self-reliance, and hard work is well known and well deserved.

Most of Ghana’s working women are farmers and traders. Only one woman in five, or even fewer, can be classified as simply housewives. Even these women often earn money by sewing or by baking and cooking things to sell. They also maintain vegetable gardens and chicken farms. Indeed, the woman who depends entirely upon her husband for support is looked upon with disfavor.

Traditionally the tasks of motherhood have been shared. Mothers and sisters, grandmothers and nieces all helped to raise the children and to carry out daily tasks. As the family grew, older brothers and sisters also helped to care for the younger ones and helped in the home. Now with more children going to school, with more people moving away from their traditional homes, not only must the mother continue her income-producing activities, but she must take on all the heavy, time-consuming housework.

Ghana today is looking for new ways to meet the needs of women and their families, such as providing more day care centers, so women can continue to play their multiple roles in the home and in the economy.

21. What is the role of most women in Ghana?

D. Working as well as maintaining families.

22. 'self-reliance' could be explained as '__________'.

B. depending on oneself

23. What kind of women do people in Ghana prefer?

D. Working hard to earn incomes.

24. Paragraph 3 describes__________.

B. why women in Ghana have more burdens now

25. The author of this article probably agrees that women in Ghana should__________.

C. try to maintain their original roles