Feminism and Economics

Abstract

Men women have typically played very different roles in the economy. This difference in economic roles has made an enormous difference in their lives in how much power prestige they can achieve, in the possibilities of developing expressing any talents they possess, in whom they spend their time with, in their chances of having interesting creative work, in the likelihood that they will suffer deprivation in the course of their lifetimes. In the past, most economists, although obviously aware of such glaring differences, have not viewed them as matters of professional interest, much less as matters of any grave professional concern. We are now emerging from this period of almost complete indifference because of three interrelated developments. The first is the accelerating increase in women's participation in paid work. The second is the increase in the numbers of women raising children alone. The third is the revival of the ideology of feminism, which has created a demand for changes in public policy. As might have been expected, those economists who have taken an interest in the economic implications of sex roles have formed themselves into two opposing factions. Feminist economists (of both sexes) have documented the severity of the problems women face in economic life, are attempting to develop the outlines of what they claim will be a more equitable future, are trying to formulate policy proposals that might bring us closer to a workable yet equitable system. On the other hand, nonfeminist economists (of both sexes) have busied themselves in defending justifying the old regime, in shouting 'Vive la difference, and in declaring the feminists' proposals for the amelioration of women's condition to be devoid of economic sense.