Labor Divided Well explores the economic underpinnings of gender roles throughout history, challenging purely social or cultural explanations. The book examines how labor specialization by gender has shaped economic systems, arguing that perceived economic efficiency significantly influenced the persistence of these roles. Intriguingly, the book reveals how household production and unpaid labor, largely performed by women, have often been overlooked in traditional economic models.
The book progresses by first establishing a theoretical framework of economic efficiency related to household and industrial labor. It then delves into historical periods, analyzing data from agricultural output to wage labor, with case studies from different regions. Finally, it connects these historical patterns to contemporary issues like the gender pay gap and unequal care work distribution.
By integrating methodologies from econometrics and historical analysis, the book offers a unique perspective on the economic drivers behind labor division, suggesting policy implications for gender equality.
