About the Book
Homa Hoodfar's richly detailed ethnography provides a rare glimpse into the daily life of Arab Muslim families. Focusing on the impact of economic liberalization policies from 1983 to 1993, she shows the crucial role of the household in survival strategies among low-income Egyptians. Hoodfar, an Iranian Muslim by birth, presents research that undermines many of the stereotypes associated with traditional Muslim women. Their apparent conservatism, she says, is based on rational calculation of the costs and benefits of working within formal and informal labor markets to secure household power. She posits that increasing adherence to Islam and taking up the veil on the part of women has been partially motivated by women's desire to protect and promote their interests both within and beyond households.
Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
GLOSSARY
Introduction
My Early Lessons in Household Economy
Theoretical Framework
Objectives of the Study
1 The Research and Its Social and Physical Setting
Arriving in Cairo
Methodology
The People
The Neighborhoods
The Macro Context: The Making of Egypt's Modern Economy
International Migration
Summary
2 Marriage, Family, and Household
Why Marriage?
Marriage in Its Cultural Context
Choosing a Suitor
Arranged Marriages versus Love Marriages
Marriage Negotiations: Strategies to Reduce Marital Conflicts
Polygynous Marriages
Summary
3 In Search of Cash: Men in the Labor Market
The Rising Need for Cash
Urban Employment Opportunities
Male Employment in the Neighborhoods
Employment Opportunities in the Informal Economy
Migration as a Cash-raising Strategy
Cash Contributions from Other Male Members of the Household
Summary
4 Women and Employment
Urban Women in the Labor Market: The Historical View
The Legal Position of Women in the Labor Market
Major Issues in Measuring the Female Labor Force in Egypt
Gainful Employment among the Informants
Employment in the Formal Sector
Attitudes Toward Gainful Employment
The Male View of Women's Paid Work
Summary
5 Money Management and Patterns of Household Budgeting
Financial Arrangements
Patterns of Budgeting in the Neighborhoods
Impact of Male Migration on Budgeting
The Contribution of Women's Wages
Men's Pocket Money
Summary
6 Nonmonetary Contributions to the Household Pool
Domestic Work
Domestic Work in the Neighborhoods
Child-rearing
Shopping
Cash-saving Labor
Dealing with Public Institutions
Summary
7 Expenditure and Consumption Patterns
Patterns of Expenditure
Recurrent Expenditures
Rent and Other Miscellaneous Routine
Expenditures
Accumulation of Assets
Financing Methods
Decision Making
Summary
8 Social Networks and Informal Associations
The Saving Associations
Communal Marital and Childbirth
Contributions
Neighborly Networks
Men's Networks
Vertical and Bureaucratic Networks
Kin Networks
Summary
9 Fertility and Sexual Politics
Fertility
Sexuality and Sexual Desire in Everyday Life
Enhancing Children's Sexuality: Why Circumcision?
Summary
Conclusion
REFERENCES
INDEX
