PERSEPSI ORANG SUNDA TERHADAP WANITA BEKERJA : STUDI KASUS DI KALANGAN WARGA RUKUN WARGI SUMEDANG (RWS) DI SUMEDANG JAWA BARAT

Abstract

Data about the low level of work participation of women in West Java has inspired the witer to know the reasons. It is assumned thath among the reasons are the differences in perceptions toward working woman. Residents of  West Java for the most part are Sundanesee as well as Moslems. Therefore, it is not impossible if such reasons are influenced by Sundanese culture and Islam, especially by the rules about gender in which they believe. However, there are other important factors such as social and economic conditions and their needs. The study about the Sundanese perceprtion toward working women is seen as cultural knowledge. That is their experience about object, events or relations which are obtained b concluding informations and interupreting messages concerning working women those are influenced by their socio-economic condition, their needs, and  Sundanese culture. The method of research used is descriptive. The targed of research is married men and women, members of Rukun Wargi Sumedang who are purposively chosen. Informations in the field are collected by sing observation technique, spreading written questionnaires and serious interviews which are analyzed qualitatively besides using tables.the result of the research shows that Sundanese perception toward working women is influenced by social and economic conditions, knowledge of social and cultural rules, culture of Sundanese ethnic group and the religion of Islam they believe in, and their various needs. Varieties of opinions among othes can be seen from the field of the works chosen and which are regarded as proper for women, from the goal of woman working, from valuation toward working women, etc. the increasing inclination among woman to do household activities that yield cash and natural benefit while the women do it are unlisted as working groups, because of the different conceptions of work between the government and the people. Besides, there are several views based on sundanese culture and the teaching of Islam concerning gender, that is likey to have negative influence on Sundanese perception toward working women, and further more, toward the level of work participation  of  women in West Java. This needs further observation.