Sexual Division of Labour

Definition of Sexual Division of Labour

The Canada social science dictionary [1] provides the following meaning of Sexual Division of Labour: The allocation of work task, either in the private household or in the public economy, on the basis of the sex of the person. Women may cook the meals and men wash the dishes, or women may perform caring roles such as nursing or social work in the public economy, while men perform the tasks of driving trucks, fighting fires, or manufacturing goods. Most societies have had some division of labour by sex. The sexual division of labour is related to stereotyping. Although this expression seems to have survived criticism from social scientists it is actually incorrect: the division of labour between the sexes is chiefly gendered: it is based on cultural practices rather than any inherent suitability of either sex to perform specific roles.

Sexual Division of Labour: Resources

Notes and References

• Drislane, R., & Parkinson, G. (2016). (Concept of) Sexual Division of Labour. Online dictionary of the social sciences. Open University of Canada