Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/56957 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2010
Series/Report no.: 
Working Paper No. 621
Publisher: 
Levy Economics Institute of Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
Abstract: 
We need to go beyond the accepted notions relating to the role of women in the economy and society, especially in terms of what is recognized in mainstream theory and policy as work done by women. Thus, the traditional gender roles, with the man as the breadwinner and the woman in the role of housekeeper, do not explain the contribution of women in general. We also need to go beyond standard models to interpret the intrahousehold gender inequities. We do not gain much insight from dwelling on the cooperative-conflict type of bargaining concepts either, which are offered in the literature to unfold the process of women's subordination within households. The issues relate to the intrahousehold power structure, which has an inbuilt bias against female members under patriarchy. In terms of a policy agenda, especially in the context of social and economic disparities that affect women in particular, we need to recognize not only the collective social norms but also the unequal power relations that influence the sexual division of labor, both within the family and in the workplace. A notion of gendered moral rationality, complemented by the Rawlsian concept of justice as fairness (implying compensation for the underprivileged), can be used to devise policy that addresses the status of women both in the workplace and at home. We need a concerted move toward sensitization of gender issues and scrutiny entailing a gender audit at every level of activity. This may work at least partially until society is ready to remodel itself by treating men and women equally.
Subjects: 
gender
justice
feminization of labor
utilitarianism and rationality
households
fair exchange of skills
invisible contribution
social reproduction
JEL: 
J12
J16
J17
J22
J31
J71
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
148.72 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.