Women with practical education feel emancipated but interpret this concept differently than the current emancipation policy. This is evident from new research by the Social and Cultural Planning Office (SCP). While the policy mainly focuses on paid work and economic independence, practically educated women primarily associate emancipation with freedom of choice and control over their own lives.
The SCP research consisted of trend analyses over the period 1981-2020 and four focus groups with practically educated women. The results show that this group of women mainly associates emancipation with ‘making your own choices’, ‘standing up for yourself’, ‘not being controlled by your husband’, and ‘being who you are’. According to them, this can also include a choice for a traditional division of tasks. If good agreements are made and both parties agree, the relationship is ‘equal’, ‘balanced’, and as a non-working partner you ‘also have a claim to his salary’, most believe. Only a few women spontaneously think of paid work or financial independence when it comes to emancipation - the core pillars of the current emancipation policy.
Financial independence difficult to achieve
In the Netherlands, 22% of women between 15 and 65 years old have a practical education (with mbo[1]1, vmbo or primary school as the highest education). Most of them work less often and fewer hours than women with a theoretical education. This is partly due to unequal distribution of caregiving tasks within the family and sometimes health problems. Together with the often lower hourly wage, this means that economic independence (at least €1,300 net per month) is often difficult to achieve for this group of women.
Practically educated women value paid work for social contact, income, and the feeling of contributing to society. Although this income does not always meet the formal criteria of economic independence, it does provide them with a sense of self-worth and equality within their relationship.
Gap between groups stabilizes
Women with practical education feel emancipated, just like women with theoretical education. The fear among scientists that the gap between practically and theoretically educated women would increase is not confirmed by the research. Both groups of women have become more modern in their thinking about the role of women over the past 40 years, but differences remain.
Policy considerations
The SCP concludes that the current emancipation policy, with its strong focus on paid work and financial independence, does not align well with the reality and wishes of practically educated women. To better support them, it is important that policymakers and social organizations engage in debate about how policy can respond to this. Important considerations emerging from the research are:
- A broader definition of emancipation with more room for different life choices, including greater appreciation for care and volunteer work, also financially.
- Improving the feasibility of current goals. Make the choice for work and/or care easier. For example, through paid leave, accessible information about childcare, and what it yields to work more hours.
