Abstract

Discussions on women's work and its private and social value have begun with the history of mankind. But until the Industrial Revolution, great differences between men and women labour haven’t been emerged. After that revolution, as most of values, the worth of women's work has changed. After the Industrial Revolution, mass production and transnational wars have resulted rising both for supply and demand of female labour forces. Then female labour force has come into public area and women have got out from their households for paying jobs. This trend has been similar in Turkey, too. However, discussions about the conditions of women participation in labour force have been continuing. Today, in Turkish society, some surveys show that it is widely accepted that women can work outside the home for paying jobs. The ratio of those saying “women can work outside of their home is acceptable and favourable” reached 85% of the population. But there are still some opposite views. Some opponents concern for traditional values, some others for religious understanding. The main issue is managing domestic responsibilities of women in the household and imagined rules of religion on working outside of the home. In this study, the questions about these issues asked for to the High Council of Religious Affairs in Turkey are embraced within the context of how issues are differentiated from male and female perspectives.