The Impact of a Female Breadwinner on Family Dynamics

Abstrak

The role of wives as income earners continues to be a widely debated issue within society, despite the ongoing shift in social paradigms and advancements in gender equality. Traditional norms still prevail in many communities, where men are viewed as the primary breadwinners and women are expected to fulfill domestic responsibilities. This dynamic has significant implications for family resilience, particularly in terms of financial stability, economic well-being, marital harmony, and child-rearing practices. This study explores such phenomena in Botekan Village, Ulujami District, Pemalang Regency. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews with local families. The research aims to examine the impact of wives who contribute financially to their households, using the framework of Maṣlahah Mursalah a principle in Islamic jurisprudence that emphasizes public interest and welfare. Findings reveal that women’s participation in income-generating activities is not only permissible but also encouraged when it serves to strengthen family resilience and promote collective benefit. However, this is contingent upon maintaining core familial rights and obligations, avoiding harm to domestic and religious roles, and adhering to principles of justice and balance. According to asy-Syaṭibi, under certain circumstances, such public benefit can serve as a legitimate basis for legal reasoning (ijtihad), thereby supporting the permissibility of wives working for the sake of their families.