“I consider this as my responsibility.”

Abstract

This case study investigates the experiences of unpaid labor and paid employment among a group of female teachers in contemporary Sidon. Universally, women spend more time on unpaid labor than men, which makes them disproportionately bear the “double burden.” The research methodology relies on a qualitative approach to tackle a problematic social issue; that of recognizing and monetizing unpaid labor. The study also explores the intersectional factors that influence the daily realities of the participants. It delves into the challenges and stressors, and demonstrates how the resulting feelings of exhaustion and time-poverty impact the overall wellbeing and realities of the female teachers. The findings reveal several insights into the perceptions of unpaid labor regarding the participants. The participants recognize unpaid labor as a responsibility and a moral obligation, and they derive emotional value from their roles as mother. Additionally, the findings further reveal a gendered division of labor whereby the majority of the unpaid labor is done by the participants and/or other female members of their families. The female participants view their labor as a “labor of love”, and for this reason none of the participants believed that they should be financially compensated for their unpaid labor. The thesis highlights this problem and discusses it in the analysis. The study highlights the need for further research on unpaid labor in diverse contexts in Lebanon. It also stresses the role of NGOs in conducting awareness sessions regarding the importance of recognizing and monetizing unpaid labor. By recognizing the contributions of these groups of women and their unpaid labor, policymakers can begin to build policies such as tax deductions and alternative supportive systems that promote gender equality and the overall well-being of female teachers.