Social and Psychological Problems of Female Breadwinners

A Field Study in the City of Sulaymaniyah

Abstract

The issue of women has recently attracted the attention of many thinkers and researchers in various fields, such as sociology, psychology, and economics, as it is one of the most important issues that has imposed itself on the regional and international arenas. The issue of women who are breadwinners for their families has emerged as a problem that all societies suffer from, as they are the group most affected by poverty, deprivation, unemployment, and marginalization. Studies indicate an increasing number of families supported by women, resulting in negative effects on women, families, and society. It also burdens this group with psychological conflicts, anxiety, frustration, and conflict in their family and professional roles, and their lack of the capabilities and skills necessary to enter the labor market, their weak ability to achieve self-realization, the low level of educational achievement of their children, and their inability to make decisions. The research aims to identify the social and psychological problems that the female breadwinners suffer from in the city of Sulaymaniyah. This study belongs to the descriptive analytical studies based on the social survey method using the three-point Likert for collecting data and information from the individuals of the study sample, consisting of (180) female respondents who were chosen intentionally. The study concluded that the local woman suffers from many social problems, showing the absence of statistically significant differences due to the variable (marital status) and the social and psychological problems that the female breadwinners face.