Write a short note on gender division or sexual division of labour.

(i) Gender division: It is a form of hierarchical social division’ Generally’ it is considered as natural and unchangeable. Actually it is based not on biology but on social expectations and stereotypes.
(ii) Division in practice: There is a common belief that the main responsibility of women is house work and bringing up children. Men do the work outside the home’ they do house works such as cooking in hotels if they are paid for these works’ on the other hand’ women do some sort of paid work such as domestic helper in middle class homes or in offices in urban areas in addition to their domestic work.
(iii) Results: The results of this gender division of labour are as given below :
(a) The role of women in public life, especially politics, is minimal in most societies.
(b) There were agitations or feminist movements that have enhanced the political and legal status of women. Now there is improvement in their educational and career opportunities. They are now working as scientists, doctors, engineers, managers and college and university teachers. In Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Norway and Finland. the participation of women in public life is very high.