Roles of rural women in rural community and their expectations about future that are related to there roles

VI ABSTRACT In this study, roles such as family labor force, a mother for children and a housewife and problems of rural women who live in mountainous villages of Adana and İçel Provinces were investigated. Participation of rural women to agricultural activities and expectations related to their future was also investigated. In research area, average family size was found to be 6,2 persons and almost every woman deals with agricultural activities. At the same time, house work and child rearing are managed by them. The average number of children that a woman has is 2,4 in the research area. Therefore, we can say that women are under very heavy conditions because of agricultural activities and daily house works. The other important finding of the study is low education level. Illiteracy rate was found to be 62,5% for women. The illiteracy rate of women is quite high as compared to average of Turkey. In research area women have secondary place in both rural community and at home. Rural women's participation to agricultural and social desicions is restricted by their husbands. Generally, women are third important person after her husband and her adult son in the family. Nevertheless, women are hopefull about future in spite of economic and social limitations. They are expecting just better understanding and respect from husbands and children. To solve these problems which women have, special education program and development project should be organized by private and /or public sector and they should educate women by means of extention facitilies such as T.V, radio, demonstration etc.