Expert: Ralph Salier - 11/10/2009

Question
What are possible explanations for the gender divisions of labor based on these contributing factors: Strength, Compatibility-with-Child-Care, and Economy of Effort; Expendability?

Answer
Hi Monica,

Whole books have been written on the subject.  I have a feeling however, that you are looking for some thing quite specific.  If you would kindly outline what you are looking to verify or quantify, it would  be much easier for me to respond.  If not, here are some bare basics:

Males of the species are considered stronger and in most cases are thus "jobs" that require strength are generally done by males.  Males are also considered to have greater stamina when running long distances thus hunting, which requires both strength and stamina would be in the Male domain.  

Since males do not lactate (except on very rare occasions) Females of the species are viewed as having child rearing responsibilities.  In primitive societies, the women teach the children fundamental survival skills and it isn't until the boys "come of age" that they then learn hunting skills from the men.  They may mimmic the  behaviors but this is only tolerated.  In the mean time they learn to "gather" with the women and learn other "tasks" that the women do like weave, make pots, and other "domestic" things.

Economy of effort is not gender defined although some may say it is.  

Expendability is also not gender defined although some would say that children are to a degree.  But that depends on the society both primitive and modern.  In modern China for instance, female children are expendable (although this behavior has caused a huge imbalance in the population).

Hi Monica,

If you could be more specific, perhaps, my knowledge would come out more strongly.  I'm sorry that it was not exactly what you needed but I'm happy it helped.