In Hengtang, too, although most women are involved in production, the majority think that such jobs as cooking, washing, cleaning, bringing up children, sewing, etc. should mainly be done by women. On the question of housework, women's views have not caught up with the actual reality. The fact is that quite a number of husbands in the two townships do household chores. Especially in Hengtang, the number of husbands sharing housework has increased considerably since the rural reform. Yet most of the wives still maintain that-housework is women's job.
Old concepts die hard.
Views on present occupations and hopes for the future Our survey shows that women in the two townships working in the fields of industry, handicraft, commerce, culture, education, and public health are satisfied with their jobs, which are considered better than farm work because they generate more income and offer more opportunities for social contacts. In Jiahong, women working in these fields say that though the working hours are strict and the work consumes more energy than farming, it yields a higher income and is more interesting. Among the women farmers in the two townships, most are satisfied with their work. Their reasons are that farm jobs offer more freedom of action and more choice in jobs, and they can have more time at their own disposal. But the feelings of women farmers differ.