Turkish women contribute to household income

ANKARA — Housewives participating in a hairdressing course held by the Yenimahalle Municipality in Ankara contribute to their family budgets by shaving their children and husbands. Course manager Özlem Gencay Tetik said 27 housewives currently participate in the course, held for the second time. The participants want to cut the hairdresser costs for their children and husbands. "Our trainees successfully learn the art of hairdressing at the end of the course and receive a certificate accredited by the Ministry of Education.
There are even some trainee housewives willing to earn a living by opening a hairdresser shop," said Tetik.

Trainer Ercan Buyruk pointed out that the course includes different practices of hairdressing, such as the techniques of using a razor and scissors, wrist movements and welcoming customers. Most of the course trainees are skilled at shaving. Men's shaving by women is common in Europe. "Haircuts are rather expensive in Europe. This is because many women shave their husbands themselves. There are occurrences when hairdressers are not granted certification unless they know how to do both men's and women's hairdressing," said Buyruk.

There are now more Turkish housewives learning the techniques of hairdressing. One of the trainees, 42-year-old Ayse Çalıser, said she shaves her husband, son and father-in-law. "I was very excited at first.

However, I found hairdressing rather easy in time. They do not go to hairdresser anymore. I am happy to contribute my family's budget.
If I have chance, I want to open a hairdresser shop in future," said Çalıser.

Likewise, 44-year-old Hatice Çavdarlı attended the course with the help of her husband. "Apart from my own family members, I shave my relatives and nephews. They do not give money to the hairdresser any longer," explained Çavdarlı. Her husband Ahmet said, "My wife has become an expert in hairdressing. She can shave as successful as a professional hairdresser. I am proud of my wife. We no longer have the hairdresser cost on our list of regular expenses."