Domestic servant position
By sishy7
@sishy7 (27166)
Australia
February 23, 2012 1:14am CST
I have problem understanding position of domestic servants in society. It is a common and acceptable position in many places, especially in Asia, from my own experience. To me, it is somewhat a backward thing for society, and at times it looks like slavery. They have to endure a lesser level in society from those who hire them; often without having any chance to move up in their lifetime or even for their offspring. I understand there are exceptions in cases where they do eventually able to come out of the position and have a better life. And most cases, it is always because of financial reasons that they end up in that position. So by hiring them, it is perceived as helping. Is it really helping them in society?
2 people like this
2 responses
@VivaLaDani13 (60812)
• Perth, Australia
15 May 17
@sishy7 That's a good question. Honestly, I don't have an answer for this. But I do think that slavery wouldn't come into it. I thought slavery was more making someone do a job whether they wanted to work or not.
1 person likes this
@sishy7 (27166)
• Australia
15 May 17
@VivaLaDani13 Yes, some form of human trafficking is also still going on these days... 
1 person likes this
@VivaLaDani13 (60812)
• Perth, Australia
15 May 17
@sishy7 Well in some way I guess it kind of does still happen. I mean reading your post at first made me think about work like cleaning or whatever. But now that I'm thinking about it, there are stories of children and women getting kidnapped and sold. Or kidnapped to make them do things they don't want to do...ya know. I guess that's in some way still slavery.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30953)
• United States
23 Feb 12
I can understand your view on it, I think. It differs from slavery in that you were hired and not bought,right? So it is the choice of the worker to be there doing that job. If the worker is unhappy, he/she can leave at any time and find employment elsewhere, right?
1 person likes this
@sishy7 (27166)
• Australia
24 Feb 12
I suppose you're right, it's not exactly slavery. I guess what bothers me most is the perception in society that they have to accept, which is a lower rank than the ones who hired them. Those servants have to live according to their place/status in society; they cannot eat on the same table as their masters, they cannot sleep in the main area of the house, they have their own separated living quarters. If not slavery, is it then considered segragation?
