Maids, Wives, Kóres and Psychokóres Representations of Female House Workers in Greek Movies

Greece in between east and west with a modern history full of wars has undergone several transformations in the 19^th century. But the core patriarchic structures were in full effect until the 80s. The dowry in Greece was not just a custom, but also a law. In 1978 there was a first attempt to change the laws, but the change took place in 1983 alongside a number of changes in the stature of women.

In a poverty stricken and war-torn country the dowry was a heavy burden for families with daughters. Many young women (sometimes from ages 10 and up) were moving to cities to seek a brighter future. Those girls were either foster daughters (psychokóres) or employed as maids. Both situations were largely undocumented adding to the invisible labor of women in the household. However popular films of the 50s to 70s provide us with an interesting sample of representations of this labor. Especially the representations of maids and psychokóres in Greek comedic films are iconic and diverse. The focus of this paper is on popular comedies who are still being broadcasted and considered classic and family friendly, so as to showcase the various depictions of paid and unpaid housework from women.

More contemporary films and tv shows will be analysed in order to portray how stereotypes on maids still persist, even though modern depictions are of non Greek maids.