Economic Effects of Gender-based Work
Media Release from Lianne Dalziel:
New Zealand has been approved to lead a A$50,000 research project into the economic effects of the different work men and women do.
The Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MWA) is to lead a trans-Tasman research project on the economic effects of the different work that men and women do, Women’s Affairs Minister Lianne Dalziel announced today.
Speaking to the National Council of Women’s national conference in Invercargill, Lianne Dalziel told delegates the New Zealand initiative had been approved at the annual Australasian Minister’s conference on the status of women (MINCO) earlier this week.
“MINCO administers a fund to be used for work that can benefit the improvement of the status of women in both countries. New Zealand put forward a research proposal to explore whether or not occupational segregation has an impact on key economic outcomes, such as productivity, and the Ministers from Australia agreed it was valuable work,” Lianne Dalziel said.
Sex-role stereotyping of jobs may have disadvantages for the whole economy, as well as limiting choices for both men and women at a personal level, Lianne Dalziel said.
“This research will help us understand the linkages between occupational segregation and economic performance, and will be useful when developing policy,” she said.
The Ministry of Women’s Affairs will approach the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to commission this work. The OECD has access to extensive relevant data from many countries and has the expertise to undertake the analysis.
The fund will provide $50,000 Australian dollars towards the cost of the research.
“This is an excellent example Australia and New Zealand working together to achieve shared goals. The research will contribute to the economic and social goals of the people of both countries. Ensuring that women who want to be involved in the paid workforce have good choices benefits them, and benefits men, families and children too,” Lianne Dalziel said.
Good post Bevan,
I wonder what the hypothesis and research questions will be.
I dread to think of the consequenses coming from this. They may improve (in their eyes) a few women’s income but they will add a lot of stresses, early deaths and the like as the economy will have to find the extra money from somewhere and it is usually from one person doing two people’s jobs.
But it will allow many men to be shop assistants instead of hard labour for the same amount of money thus less stress and the like.
Will it help or harm the ecomony? Hmmm.
Comment by julie — Mon 2nd October 2006 @ 8:28 am
During the industrial revolution in Europe whole families left cottage industries like shoemaking and almost everything else and went to work in the factories. They had little choice as it wasn’t possible to match the cost of mass production. There was mass drunkenness as gin houses opened and there are historical accounts of mass drunkenness in the streets, with intoxicated children as young as eight joining in with their parents after work. During that time there was an economic boom as production increased as never before. The markets eventually became saturated, the economies in Europe went into recession and manufacturers were keen to get rid of staff. Before that, there had been oposition from Parliament and factory owners to those who campaigned for families. The Temperance Movement was one but they were predominantly patriarchal and only campaigned on behalf of women and children. With the new recession, laws were passed to prevent children from working in factories. The women left happily with the children. Alchohol was introduced into the workplace after work to compensate for men’s misery and remains a tax deductible expense for workers today. Men went home, not only exhausted from work and alienated from the children and wife but intoxicated as well. The same thing happened after WW2 except it caught many women as well. After WW2 there was a huge demand for light manufacturing such as car making and electronics. This coincided with the corporate drive to bring women into the workplace. Children and familiy are often the only thing that makes it worthwhile (or more bearable) but whats the point when you hardly ever get to see them or you’re too tired at the end of the day? Many women subsequently found that work is not as rewarding or pleasant as they were led to believe. Men have traditionally put up with a lot just to see the children happy but most men don’t even get that anymore. I think a study on this is a good idea as long as its not just by another gender bigot looking for information that supports her cause.
Comment by eye of the tiger — Mon 2nd October 2006 @ 1:04 pm
Tiger,
The problem with most research conducted by “social scientists” is that it is vested interest and agenda driven.(much as your observation concludes)
I am more and more of the opinion that Social Sciences are nothing more than witch doctors with a degree.
Regards
Scrap
Comment by Scrap_The_CSA — Mon 2nd October 2006 @ 1:51 pm
Who is the minister of Mens Affairs?What group is concerned if my testicles get the rot [cancer] and my goolies are poked?
Comment by makita — Mon 2nd October 2006 @ 3:52 pm
Makita,
I hope you don’t mind me being involved in discussing testicle cancer (as a female) but I only learn’t about it a few weeks ago and I learn’t that young adult males are dying from it. So I had to discuss with my sons how to check. There really does need to be more information and support about cancers for males.
Comment by julie — Tue 3rd October 2006 @ 9:48 am
More feminzt pork.
Comment by Stephen — Fri 6th October 2006 @ 11:30 pm