Geographical Separation of Home and Workspace
“Home” is an article examining association of women and the home. The article has explained and analyzed in detail the economic and social changes that have taken place since the start of the 16th century. Such socio-economic development has mixed-up the definition of work and home. Before the 16th century, home was defined activities undertaken by both women and men/ it provided both economic and social space and comfort. This was achievable because a large percentage of economic activities carried out during that period were agricultural activities (Agnew et al., 2011). Some of these activities included weaving, livestock keeping, beer brewing and farming. Additionally, majority of these duties could be completed at home.
Geographical separation of the work place and home was not noticeable. The living space or house was never associated with women as is the case at present. Though at that time there was task separation for the men and women to carry out at home, it was clear the house was not a domain for the women only. However, women would spend less time at the house compared to the men due to their nature of tasks. They took part in household duties such as taking care of cooking and the kids. These duties were performed best away from the house (Agnew et al., 2011). On the other hand, the men took care of agricultural activities such as weeding and planting as well as taking care of animals.
Both men and women would stay at home to carry out economic activities. Partitioning of the living space and home therefore was done in accordance to activities performed and not on the basis of gender. However, a great awakening of the world took place in terms of economic, geographical and social aspects during the start of the 16th century. Modernity and capitalism took over the world slowly as such, changing the economic and social lives of individuals. Among the aspects that changed in the lives of people is attitude towards home. Life changed to the extent economic activities were longer carried out from home but rather, away from home.
Urban centers birth led to great geographical shifts from rural farming region to cities and towns as people searched for employment. Also, long distance trade was born. Consequently, people travelled for long distances in order to take part in trade. This duration was marked by great geographical changes of home and work. Jobs were no longer operated from him. For example, brewing of beer stopped being a task carried out by women from home. The need for beer to be manufactured in huge amounts by men for economic benefits arose. Additionally, large hotels, managed by men were set in towns that were away from home.
Since the start of industrialization and capitalism, home has largely come to be associated with the women (Agnew et al., 2011). There has also been geographical separation of the work place and home. This kind of separation has been viewed as natural and also accepted by men and stay-at home mothers. Compared to men, women are more attached to home. For example, women perform house chores and they spend a significant amount of time around the house than men. This is especially true since whether she is married or not, working or stay-at-home mother she has the tendency of spending more of her time at home. Additionally, majority of people live close to work places. Women love home tasks and they have accepted them as part of their day to day life. Men however, feel they are more masculine hence they are supposed to handle tasks that are harder.
It is these changes that define home based on separateness from the work place. Precisely, these changes differentiate the male world of work and productivity from the female world of home, family and reproductively. Though there are women who seek formal employment in manufacturing firms and towns, they still play their role of taking care of families and homemakers.
A definite geographical separation of work and home exists even in the world today. Interestingly, though women seek masculine jobs, their femininity is always defined by the role they play at home.
Capitalism and industrialization, that occurred in the 16th century, saw broad separation of work place and home since these two moved further from geographical measures. The concentration of men was to compete economically in market places while the women took part in chores of taking care of and nurturing their families. Urban centers witnessed a distinct separation of home and work place. Residential houses as well were set up in different locations which was far from industries and offices (Agnew et al., 2011). Men worked from offices while women performed their household chores from residential places and homes.
However, this ideology of urban land separation and still remains partial. This is due to the fact some women, especially those from middle class, work from home. Men as well use work places as their leisure and entertainment places. This indicates that geographical separation of work and home was largely based on theory rather than real life. The concept is still applicable in the 21st century generation.
References
Agnew, J. A., Livingstone, D. N., & Sage Publications. (2011). The SAGE handbook of geographical knowledge. Los Angeles; London: SAGE.
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