Economy as a Burden to Women in the Postmodern Era: An Islamic Perspective by Udba Fatima

 The postmodern era has changed many aspects of society, especially how women take part in the economy. Many feminist thinkers and postmodernists believe that financial independence gives women real power. They encourage women to join the workforce, thinking it will liberate them. But in reality, this idea has created a problem: women might have gained financial freedom, but at the same time, they have been given too many responsibilities. They now have to manage both their jobs and their homes without enough help. Instead of reducing their struggles, postmodernist ideas have added more pressure to their lives. Islam, on the other hand, offers a system that removes financial pressure from women. It places the responsibility of earning on men (considering earning as a duty of men), while women have the choice to work if they wish. This article is based on a comparative study of how postmodern economic ideas affect women and how Islam offers an alternative approach that gives them both dignity and balance.

Postmodernism is a way of thinking that challenges old ideas and does not accept fixed roles for men and women. Theorists like Jean-François Lyotard talk about grand narratives that reject the idea of universal truths, and Judith Butler argues that a person’s identity is not fixed but created by society. Butler, in her book Gender Trouble (1990), says that gender roles are not natural but are learned through repeated behavior. Postmodern feminists use this idea to say that women should take part in financial systems so that they can break free from male control. This idea sounds like it gives women more freedom and choice, but it does not consider an important problem—women are still expected to do the same household duties as before. Instead of reducing the burden on women, postmodernist economic ideas have actually made their workload heavier. Women are now expected to earn money while also taking care of their homes. Sociologist Arlie Hochschild calls this the “second shift”—a situation where women work a full-time job but still have to do most of the housework when they come home.

A 2024 study by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) found that 67% of working women feel highly stressed because they have to manage both their jobs and their household duties. This shows that even though women have more opportunities in their careers, they are still doing most of the work at home, making their so-called "empowerment" feel more like a burden. Many believe that financial independence makes women’s lives better, but studies show that it often creates more stress. The 2022 Gallup World Poll reported that 50% of working women experience extreme stress every day, a much higher rate than men in similar jobs. This proves that while men are mainly expected to earn money, women must manage both their careers and their homes, making their lives more difficult.

Another study from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2022) found that women spend around 18.4 hours per week on unpaid household chores, while men spend only 12.8 hours. The difference becomes even bigger in families with children, where women take on most of the childcare responsibilities, even if they have a job. Such portrayals of postmodernist ideas of gender equality in the workplace do not bring equality at home. Instead of sharing household duties more fairly, society now expects women to do even more. On the other hand, what Islam takes is an alternative approach. Instead of forcing women to work in order to be valued, it ensures their financial security in a way that reduces stress. In Islam, a woman has the right to earn money, but she is not forced to. 

The responsibility of earning and providing is placed on men. The Quran makes this clear in the verse: "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women because Allah has made one of them excel over the other, and because they spend (to support them) from their wealth." (Surah An-Nisa 4:34) This verse highlights an important difference between Islamic and postmodern economic ideas. 

In Islam, women do not have to worry about financial responsibilities. If they decide to work, their earnings are theirs alone. They are not required to use their income for household expenses. Instead, it is the duty of men to provide for their families. The Prophet Muhammad (هللا صلى وسلم عليه ( confirmed this in a hadith where he told Hind bint Utbah, the wife of Abu Sufyan, "Take what is enough for you and your children in a reasonable way." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5364, Sahih Muslim 1714) This hadith proves that in Islam, women have the right to financial support, ensuring that they are not pressured to earn money just to survive. 

Postmodernism has encouraged women to enter the workforce, promoting financial independence as a form of empowerment. However, studies show that this has placed even more responsibilities on women rather than reducing their struggles. The numbers prove that women are not being truly liberated—they are just being expected to do more. Islam, on the other hand, provides a different solution. It removes the financial burden from women, ensuring that women do not have to work unless they choose to. This gives them freedom from economic pressure and allows them to focus on their well-being, family, and personal growth. True empowerment comes not from adding more responsibilities to women’s lives but from giving them security, dignity, and peace of mind.