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Unpaid work and the care economy: 

Unpaid work and the care economy How the Economist looks at Gender Patricia Alexander, Regional Gender Coordinator, UNDP Regional Centre for Asia & the Pacific Beijing, 22-23 August

Why does the Economist look at “gender”?: 

Why does the Economist look at “gender”? The role of this presentation is to help us understand: The economic elements underlying gender inequality Why macroeconomics cannot be “gender blind” Measurement of unpaid work and the care economy

Outline: 

Outline Foundations of inequality Male bias in macroeconomics Correcting the bias Assumptions behind the models Measuring women’s work – the SNA The care economy

Outline: 

Outline Foundations of inequality Male bias in macroeconomics Correcting the bias Assumptions behind the models Measuring women’s work – the SNA The care economy

Gender is socially acquired, and not a biological characteristic, BUT…: 

Gender is socially acquired, and not a biological characteristic, BUT… This social structure rests on economic foundations

For example, several Asian countries show “son preference”: 

For example, several Asian countries show “son preference” Since China’s 1982 Census, IMR for girls has not declined In rural areas, it has risen For girls, the rate rose from 39 per 1000 live births (1982) to 43 (2000)

The “under-5 mortality rate” is a powerful indicator: 

The “under-5 mortality rate” is a powerful indicator “Under-five mortality better captures the effect of gender discrimination than infant mortality, as nutrition and medical interventions are more important in this age group” (UNSD 2007)

Since the early 1980s (reforms), the sex ratio at birth has been widening, against girls: 

Since the early 1980s (reforms), the sex ratio at birth has been widening, against girls

Since the early 1980s (reforms), the sex ratio at birth has been widening, against girls: 

Since the early 1980s (reforms), the sex ratio at birth has been widening, against girls

What are the Economics underlying this phenomenon?: 

What are the Economics underlying this phenomenon? The vast majority of new couples move to the man’s village The newly married woman does not retain land rights in her natal village On divorce, she is forced off the land Despite equal rights laws, in practice, only sons retain land rights  people believe … “Land property can only be protected by producing sons”

Non-economic measures alone cannot change the underlying economics : 

Non-economic measures alone cannot change the underlying economics Common measures: Outlawing ultrasounds for sex-selective abortion Punishing infanticide Public campaigns about the danger of gender imbalance However: “The system of family property and the political institutions for holding and transmitting land and property rights need to be more carefully examined”

Equal pay for equal work: 

Equal pay for equal work Although policy is clear in China and other countries, women’s earnings are significantly below men’s In addition to discrimination, many women cannot get equal qualifications

Equal pay for equal work: 

Equal pay for equal work Three out of four illiterate adults are women (female illiteracy is 2.6 times that of men) Home and farm responsibilities do not lessen when a woman takes on a job

“The reproduction labour tax”: 

“The reproduction labour tax” Food for the rural family, subsistence farming, water and fuel supply are the responsibility of women in traditional societies These duties must be discharged before a women can seek market work Women are “bound to the household”

“The reproduction labour tax”: 

“The reproduction labour tax” A CNN news item last week showed Olympic workers, who have steady work The income is helping to educate their children The women are running the farms

A high-paid construction job can be a road to a better life: 

A high-paid construction job can be a road to a better life But only if someone stays behind to manage care and farming

The care obligation functions in economics exactly as a tax on women’s wages: 

The care obligation functions in economics exactly as a tax on women’s wages It reduces women’s “job search” time More women must work nearer home, at whatever jobs are available Women compete with each other in the low-wage sectors

The care obligation functions in economics exactly as a tax on women’s wages: 

The care obligation functions in economics exactly as a tax on women’s wages This reduces their bargaining power It lowers their “reservation wage” They must accept the wage offered … and the conditions

Jobs in the high-paying industries are going 2-to-1 to men : 

Jobs in the high-paying industries are going 2-to-1 to men Those with little education are doing low-paid, often dangerous jobs

Outline: 

Outline Foundations of inequality Male bias in macroeconomics Correcting the bias Assumptions behind the models Measuring women’s work – the SNA The care economy

Macroeconomics is about the whole economy: 

Macroeconomics is about the whole economy How can it have gender in it?

In macroeconomics, bias is not overt: 

In macroeconomics, bias is not overt It is hidden in the assumptions Costs that are not included Time that is not costed Inputs that are ignored Social elements that create additional “transactions costs” Learn to look for hidden assumptions

When is it a “bias”: 

When is it a “bias” When the assumption affects women and men differently, it is a gender bias …. and the same for girls and boys Women may have to use more time Girls may drop out of school to take up tasks Some cases …

In macroeconomics, bias is not overt: 

In macroeconomics, bias is not overt It is hidden in the assumptions Costs that are not included Time that is not costed Inputs that are ignored Social elements that create additional “transactions costs” Learn to look for hidden assumptions