Question

Why does gender matter? Explain three ways in which gender matters for economic outcomes (keeping in mind a broad definition of the economy as provisioning)

Answer 1

Gender matters because social, economic, and political norms have never been gender neutral. Gender matters for economic outcomes because:

1) There is discrimination in employment and wage in jobs for males and females. While females are preferred in low rung cooking, cleaning and assistant jobs, males have an upper hand in higher corporate and administrative positions. Clearly, females with the same qualifications as the males are less preferred in such jobs and are paid lower wages.

2) Females have to bear a disproportionately high responsibility of household and childcare, but are neither paid for it nor is their work recognised formally. This makes it difficult for females who perform household duties to have any say in the economic decisions of the household.

3) In most societies, females face social restrictions on their behaviour, attire and mobility outside household. This makes it difficult for them to participate in the economy and closes many opportunities to them.