History of History of Gendered/Racial Gendered/Racial Work in the USWork in the US

Agricultural Societies and Agricultural Societies and Sexual Division of LaborSexual Division of Labor

• Labor for both sexes was Equally ValuedLabor for both sexes was Equally Valued

• European American WomenEuropean American Women– Labor is entertwined. Labor is entertwined.

• Men were responsible for growing and grinding wheat. Men were responsible for growing and grinding wheat. Women were responsible for turning wheat into food. Women were responsible for turning wheat into food. Men were responsible for chopping wood, women Men were responsible for chopping wood, women responsible for turning it into fuel. Men grew food for responsible for turning it into fuel. Men grew food for trade. Women grew food for immediate consumption.trade. Women grew food for immediate consumption.

• African American WomenAfrican American Women– Slave owners tried to reduce the sexual DOL so Slave owners tried to reduce the sexual DOL so

that slaves felt de-humanized. Slaves tried to that slaves felt de-humanized. Slaves tried to recreate sexual DOL in the home when possible.recreate sexual DOL in the home when possible.

Agricultural Economies Agricultural Economies continuedcontinued

• Some Europeans Americans were Some Europeans Americans were not farmers but guild workers.not farmers but guild workers.– Wives worked alongside husbands, but Wives worked alongside husbands, but

were excluded from guilds (organized were excluded from guilds (organized craft workers).craft workers).

Pre-Industrialization and Pre-Industrialization and Sexual DOLSexual DOL

• New technology ushered in value of:New technology ushered in value of:– Efficiency and High ProductivityEfficiency and High Productivity

• Women were the first affected by Women were the first affected by this because: this because: – Cottage industry, pieceworkCottage industry, piecework– First factories employed women and First factories employed women and

children.children.

Industrialization and the Industrialization and the Rise of Cult of True Rise of Cult of True

WomanhoodWomanhood• Domestic CodeDomestic Code

– Pious – bring men back from their errant wayPious – bring men back from their errant way– Pure – not want sex, even after marriage. Pure – not want sex, even after marriage. – Submissive – Do not become an intellectual. Submissive – Do not become an intellectual. Rather, Rather,

allow men to control you. Allow them allow men to control you. Allow them to protect you.to protect you.– Domestic – Clean, cook, care.Domestic – Clean, cook, care.

• Be responsible for men’s problematic behaviorBe responsible for men’s problematic behavior

• Read, 1950’s “How to Be a Good Wife.”Read, 1950’s “How to Be a Good Wife.”

• What do magazines/books say today? What do magazines/books say today?

Domestic Code and Domestic Code and Gender/RaceGender/Race

• Domestic Code Created:Domestic Code Created:– Doctrine of Separate Spheres – Women’s proper place Doctrine of Separate Spheres – Women’s proper place

in the home. Men is to work. Keep the two separate.in the home. Men is to work. Keep the two separate.• In 1840, women and children made up 40% of industrial In 1840, women and children made up 40% of industrial

workforceworkforce• By 1870, 75% industrial workers were men (working women By 1870, 75% industrial workers were men (working women

were predominantly single pg 20).were predominantly single pg 20).

– Created notion that men were strong and could Created notion that men were strong and could handle stress of the world. handle stress of the world.

– Also created Job Sex Segregation in the world of paid Also created Job Sex Segregation in the world of paid workwork• Protective LegislationProtective Legislation

Domestic Code and Domestic Code and Gender/RaceGender/Race

• We often either study race or gender. Glenn We often either study race or gender. Glenn argues this is problematic. Why?argues this is problematic. Why?

• Domestic Code helped Perpetuate RacismDomestic Code helped Perpetuate Racism– Women of Color were not allowed to be “true Women of Color were not allowed to be “true

women” regardless of classwomen” regardless of class

– Women of Color were kept from most industrial Women of Color were kept from most industrial work. They were forced into dirty, heavy workwork. They were forced into dirty, heavy work

– Women of Color were made to do the informal Women of Color were made to do the informal economic work that “true women” were not economic work that “true women” were not supposed to do.supposed to do.

Domestic Code and Domestic Code and Gender/RaceGender/Race

• The Domestic Code allowed:The Domestic Code allowed:– White men to benefit because….White men to benefit because….

– White women to benefit because….White women to benefit because….

– Divisions among race/ethnicities Divisions among race/ethnicities because….because….

– Harm to Families of Color because…..Harm to Families of Color because…..

Market Work TodayMarket Work Today

• Look at Chart on page 28-29.Look at Chart on page 28-29.

• Non paid work is still devalued in Non paid work is still devalued in the US and internationally and the US and internationally and women are more likely in informal women are more likely in informal sector and are also more responsible sector and are also more responsible for non paid work.for non paid work.