What is Work?: Gender at the Crossroads of Home, Family, and Business from the Early Modern Era to the Present

The book "What Is Work?" explores how gender has shaped the definition of work in different Euro-American contexts over centuries, highlighting the ambiguities and biases that have influenced mainstream conceptions of work across social sectors.

Format: Hardback
Length: 398 pages
Publication date: 21 September 2018
Publisher: Berghahn Books

Throughout history, every society has established its own criteria for defining what constitutes work and what does not. These distinctions are frequently intertwined with issues of gender.
"What Is Work?" provides a comprehensive exploration of labor within the context of highly gendered household economies. By drawing from a diverse range of scholarship, including gender history, economic sociology, family history, civil law, and feminist economics, this collection of essays delves into the evolving and often contentious boundaries between what was and is considered work in various Euro-American societies across centuries. The essays aim to shed light on the complexities and biases that have shaped mainstream conceptions of work across all social sectors.

In the past, traditional gender roles dictated that certain tasks, such as domestic labor, were considered women's work, while others, such as paid employment, were reserved for men. However, this binary division of labor has been challenged and blurred over time. As women have entered the workforce in greater numbers and taken on traditionally male-dominated roles, the boundaries between work and non-work have become more complex and multifaceted.

One of the key themes explored in "What Is Work?" is the historical and cultural construction of gender roles and the impact of these roles on the definition of work. The essays examine how societal norms, religious beliefs, and economic systems have shaped the gendered division of labor and how these constructs have evolved over time. They also explore the ways in which women have resisted and challenged these gender norms, advocating for equal rights and opportunities in the workplace.

Another important aspect of the book is its examination of the economic implications of gendered labor. The essays explore how the gender pay gap, occupational segregation, and lack of access to education and training opportunities for women contribute to economic inequality and poverty. They also examine the ways in which policies and initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and reducing gender-based discrimination can impact the economy and society as a whole.

In addition to exploring the historical and economic dimensions of gendered labor, "What Is Work?" also considers the social and cultural implications of these distinctions. The essays examine how gendered labor shapes family relationships, social hierarchies, and power dynamics within households and communities. They also explore the ways in which gendered labor intersects with other forms of discrimination, such as race, class, and sexuality, creating complex and interrelated systems of oppression and privilege.

Overall, "What Is Work?" offers a rich and nuanced understanding of labor within the highly gendered realm of household economies. By drawing from a diverse range of scholarship and perspectives, the book provides a valuable contribution to the field of gender studies and economics. It challenges readers to think critically about the boundaries between work and non-work and the ways in which these distinctions have shaped our understanding of gender, power, and inequality.

Weight: 670g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781785339110