Majority of Maltese believe a woman's place is in the home

A woman's main job is to stay at home and raise the family, while men should not be on the same footing when it comes to household chores like cleaning, cooking and raising children, the majority of Maltese believe.

There may be more female University graduates than males, but according to a Eurobarometer survey released yesterday the cultural shift in mentality has not yet happened.

Maltese respondents, both male and female, do not think women out of a job may also be cut off from the world, in contrast with their European counterparts.

The survey, conducted last October, found that although 61 per cent of respondents admitted the number of working women was still too low - the lowest in the EU - 85 per cent (the highest in the EU) still felt women should give priority to raising children over their career. Just 10 per cent stated the contrary.

This opinion is also held in "abnormal circumstances" such as when a working mother earns more than the father. In this scenario, 60 per cent disagreed the father should stay at home and the mother goes to work. According to 68 per cent of respondents, it is "normal" for men to participate less than women in household tasks.

Meanwhile, 60 per cent agree it is normal for women to be expected to work less than men, while 36 per cent disagree. This contrasts sharply with the European thinking where almost half the respondents (48 per cent) disagree with this statement and only 43 per cent agree.

While the majority, 60 per cent, admit there is increased gender equality today when compared to 10 years ago, some answers indicate Maltese society's frame of mind has not made the necessary adaptation and does not treat men and women on an equal basis.

The survey also shows the Maltese are the Europeans most likely to defend the role of a housewife.

Asked if "women who do not work are isolated from the world", 80 per cent of Maltese respondents totally disagreed. In the rest of the EU, only 52 per cent disagreed with this statement.

On a policy level the survey clearly indicates what needs to be done to encourage more women to take up employment.

According to the survey, 68 per cent would like to see the introduction of more flexible working hours while almost 50 per cent said there should be an increase in childcare facilities. The latter should also be given at a reasonable price as the majority, 68 per cent, think a women's salary is almost equivalent to the childcare costs making the extra sacrifice much less worth it.