MENGAYOMI FEMALE BREADWINNERS

Kritik Naratif terhadap Rut 2:1-23

Abstract

This article aims to highlight the church’s efforts and contributions to assisting and protecting female breadwinners from workplace challenges. Female breadwinners not only struggle about dual roles but also discrimination due to differences in competence with men. They also face the risk and threat of violence and sexual harassment. Responding to this issue, I analyze the story of Boaz and Ruth in the book of Ruth, specifically chapters 2:1-23. I analyze this text using narrative criticism. Ruth's experience of gleaning grain in Boaz's field presents a contrasting situation of the female breadwinners' experiences. Although Ruth was a widow, a stranger, and poor, she did not experience discrimination. Boaz intervened with his workers so that no one disturbed Ruth, and she gleaned ears of corn in peace. Boaz protected Ruth by forbidding them from touching (naga), criticizing (kalam), and being rude (gaar) to Ruth. These attitude shows that Boaz protected Ruth and prevented her from being the target of discrimination. Boaz also assisted Ruth in her work. He asking his workers to drop heads of grain for her to pick up. Boaz also invited Ruth to eat with his workers. These attitudes and actions demonstrated Boaz's support for Ruth, enabling her to gather more heads of grain. Boaz's attitude serves as a reflection for the church today, advocating for the protection of female breadwinners in the workplace and fostering a work culture that empathizes with and supports them.