Employing housemaids in the Libyan family

An empirical study on housewives who employ housemaids in the city of Zliten

Abstract

This study sheds light on one of the new phenomena of the Libyan society, which is the employment of housemaids by the Libyan family. The spread of this phenomenon has been related to changes in the economic, social and cultural life of the Libyan society. The study started from its main question: How widespread is the employment of housemaids in the Libyan family (A study conducted in Zliten city)? The study used the descriptive-analytical methodology to achieve its objectives. The questionnaire has been used for collecting data from the study sample. It consisted of 40 questions divided into six main categories. A sample of 90 housewives, each of whom employs a housemaid in her home, was recruited among the general population. A snowball method was used to select participants. The selection took place in two stages: In the first stage, the researchers relied on personal knowledge to select 22 families. In the second stage, the previous families were asked to reach further participants by introducing each family to four new families. The study concluded with a set of results, the most important of which are: The noticeable increase in the employment of domestic servants in the Libyan family, especially illegal immigrants who work in cleaning services.