Gendered labor market

Definition

The gendered labor market refers to the division of labor based on gender, where specific jobs and roles are associated with either men or women, often resulting in unequal pay and opportunities. This concept highlights how societal norms and expectations shape employment patterns, influencing the types of work that individuals pursue and the wages they earn, especially during economic downturns.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. During the Great Depression, women were often pushed into low-paying jobs as men lost their jobs in higher-paying sectors, reinforcing the gendered labor market.
2. The perception that women's work was secondary to men's led to the prioritization of job opportunities for men during the economic crisis, leaving many women unemployed.
3. Women who did work during this period often took on roles such as secretaries, nurses, and teachers, which were traditionally seen as 'women's work' and typically offered lower wages.
4. The New Deal policies often overlooked women's contributions to the workforce, perpetuating their marginalization in both economic recovery efforts and employment opportunities.
5. Despite increased participation in the workforce, women faced significant challenges in terms of job security and advancement due to the prevailing belief that they should prioritize home responsibilities.

Review Questions

• How did the gendered labor market manifest during the Great Depression, particularly regarding job availability for men versus women?
  • During the Great Depression, the gendered labor market was evident as many men lost their jobs in higher-paying industries like manufacturing and construction. As a result, job availability for men was prioritized, while women were often relegated to lower-paying positions that were considered suitable for their gender. This created a stark contrast where men's employment was seen as essential for family support, while women's work was deemed secondary, reflecting deeply ingrained societal norms.
• Discuss how societal attitudes towards women’s work during the Great Depression contributed to occupational segregation.
  • Societal attitudes during the Great Depression reinforced the belief that women's roles were primarily domestic and that their work outside the home was supplementary. This led to occupational segregation as women were funneled into roles such as clerical work or teaching, which were viewed as acceptable for women but paid less than male-dominated fields. The undervaluation of women's labor perpetuated a cycle where women were discouraged from pursuing careers in higher-paying industries or positions of power.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of the gendered labor market established during the Great Depression on subsequent generations of women in the workforce.
  • The gendered labor market established during the Great Depression had lasting effects on future generations of women. The limitations placed on women's employment opportunities reinforced stereotypes about women's capabilities and roles in society. As a result, even after the economic recovery, many women continued to face barriers in accessing higher-paying jobs or advancing their careers. This historical context laid the groundwork for ongoing discussions about gender equity in the workplace and fueled movements advocating for equal pay and opportunities for women across various sectors.

Related terms

Occupational Segregation: The separation of jobs into different categories based on gender, often leading to women and men being concentrated in different occupations with varying levels of pay and prestige.

Wage Gap: The disparity in earnings between men and women, often exacerbated by the gendered labor market, where jobs predominantly held by women tend to pay less than those held by men.

Feminization of Labor: The increasing participation of women in the workforce, particularly in low-wage and part-time jobs, reflecting broader societal changes and economic needs.