Patterns of involvement of seafarers' spouses in household decision-making and community affairs

Abstract

The study was undertaken to know the pattern of involvement of seafarers’ spouses in household decision-making and community affairs. Specifically, it aims to: (1) know the socio-demographic characteristics of seafarers’ spouses; (2) find out the pattern of involvement of seafarers’ spouses in household decision-making and; (3) identify the pattern of involvement of seafarers’ spouses in community affairs. The researchers employed a fishbowl sampling method in selecting the 35 respondents. The data was gathered using an interview schedule and analyzed using simple frequency counts and percentages.

The study found that majority of the respondents are college graduates and are gainfully employed. Most of those who are employed are public school teachers. The result also shows that in terms of household decision-making, the seafarers’ spouse involvement is most evident in the disciplining of children while her participation in other areas of decision-making is characterized by consultation with her spouse particularly in economic and recreation affairs. Moreover, the study revealed that seafarers’ spouses are actually involved in their community’s recreational, political, and socio-religious activities.

As for the recommendation, the researchers suggest that further studies with a larger sample be made on the same topic. Another study investigating about the challenges faced by left-behind spouses as a consequence of their husband’s physical absence. The researchers also recommend that another study should be done focusing on the topic that revolves around the comparison between the seafarer’s spouse and that of the non-migrant spouse’s involvement in the household decision-making and community affairs.