Subjectivity in the 'maid'/'madam' relationship and its effects on the occupational child care-giving functions of the domestic worker

This study investigated the manner in which discursive practises in the social relations within domestic service position, the domestic worker, and the work she does, as of low status and impinges on the child caregiving functions of the domestic worker. The extent to which racial factors are operant was assessed. Accounts were obtained from both 'maids' and 'madams' through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The approach to the transcribed data was informed by Hallway's (1989) interpretative discourse analysis whilst analytical concepts from Davies and Harre (1990) were used for the actual analysis of discursive positioning. Discourses that emerged from the "madams" accounts polarized into a progressive liberal discourse and an oppressive, colonial discourse. The domestic workers' accounts revealed a discourse of servility as well . as a contradictory discourse of resistance. Racial considerations did not surface as decisive in the 'choice' of positioning, although their influence was not completely irrelevant. What did surface as decisive in enforcing democratic social practises, or approximations thereof, was the need for good quality substitute care as well as the need to retain already existent relationships of attachment between the domestic workers and the children under their care.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

1991

Author dc:creator

• Ngqakayi, Nomsa C

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Swartz, Sally

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14058

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/14058