GENDER DIVISON OF LABOR

Gender division of labour

explain and discuss how gender divison of labor and the ability to own property affect gender relations across cultures and subsisten srategies

GENDER DIVISON OF LABOR

Division of labor originated from societal roles on specific gender. Societies attach women responsibilities and activities to family and home chores, while male roles are non-domestic. Culture apportions more powers to men than women. The perception that men are better performers and managers has prevented women from owning property. However, societal responsibilities attached to women are disintegrating, thus women are venturing in to technical and professional fields that were earlier occupied by men.

According to Cohen (2004), most societies disregard property ownership to women. However, both men and women have equal rights to owing property. Power dynamics enhances women to own property. The role and responsibilities of women in society dictate their ability to own property. Women property rights are increasing emerging and are regarded as progress towards economic development. Despite the property ownership rights to women, few women own property especially land. Most women can access property but society prohibits them to inherit or acquire such properties. The existing cultural ties and norms have tied women to be dependent on their male counterparts.

Kergoat & Othmer (2005) observed that, few women own properties as compared to men. A small percentage of married couples have joint property. In most families properties are registered and owned by the husbands who solely make decisions regarding the properties. Families and communities are negatively influenced by insufficient property rights to women.  Cohen (2004) argues that, women owning properties have capabilities to generate adequate income to sustain their households.

In conclusion, gender equality and women empowerment activists should advocate for the enforcement of women property ownership rights. Gender equality should be enhanced in property ownership rights. More income and social security will increase if women are empowered through property ownership rights.

 REFERENCES

Cohen, P. (2004). “The Gender Division of Labor: ‘Keeping House’ and Occupational Segregation in the United States”. Gender and Society (18): 239–52.

Kergoat, D. & Othmer, R. (2005). “Sexual division of Labor and Gender in France”. Feministische Studien : Zeitschrift Für Interdisziplinäre Frauen- Und Geschlechterforschung, (2), 304.