Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Domestic Workers
I dont have a relationship with any domestic workers, as we never had any kind of a housekeeper or nanny and neither did any of my friends growing up (at least, none that I knew of). So I am going to respond to the clip we saw and the discussion we had in class. For a start the clip, like most films I've seen about domestic workers, speaks from the side of the maid/housekeeper/nanny or what have you, and tells a tale of neglect, or abuse, or even just of their employers ignorance. As the only experience I have had in regards to this topic comes from watching films such as this and from hearing the people in class (and others I have met at USC) talk about their own personal experiences I am not sure my opinion is terribly valid but... I have noticed a trend. The trend is that those who talk about employing a domestic worker, and even claim to have a good relationship with them, tend to be the children which said worker raised. I would like to hear from the actual employer as well. Because I still believe that the issue of money and taking an employee from their home and putting them in yours throws a wrench into the idea of truly accepting them as a family member. As far as I'm concerned, as much as a person can pretend and sugar coat a relationship with someone, there will always be a slight disconnect because that so-called "member of the family" is being paid to be there. She/he is paid to care and follow orders. Sure, they have the ability to say no, just like any employee in any business, and sure they may even come to love the people they work for, but they are still remaining in the home on the basis that they will do work and be paid for it. Therefore their relationship with their employers is never truly "family" because how can you pay someone to be your family?
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I completely agree with your viewpoint! Although in certain circumstances, relationships with the domestic worker may be very close and family-like, there will always be a distinction since there is money involved. The domestic worker is employed for a reason--to get a job done-- and as long as this is occurring, there will be a employer-employee relationship that will remain no matter how embedded into the family the domestic worker becomes.
ReplyDeletePaula, I think you bring up a very good point. The way I see it, the children that are being raised by the domestic worker do not have the barrier of the business relationship to stop them from being able to have a close personal relationship. The adult employers, on the other hand, have to maintain a position of control while also allowing for a peaceful and friendly atmosphere in their homes. This is where I think the lines between business and familial relations can get blurry and messy. It would definitely be interesting to hear about the experience of the other side.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Even though that you might have a great realtionship with the domestic worker who works for you and treat them like a family member, because you are paying them money, they realize that there is a distinction between them and other family members.
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