Women's Changing Social Roles & Economic Development

Impact of Economic Development on Women's Roles

Economic development profoundly alters women's roles, influencing marriage choices, freedom of movement, and educational opportunities, leading to greater gender equality.

Historically, many cultures favored sons. This preference tends to decrease with economic growth, as education becomes more accessible for females.
Parents often favored sons due to the perception that they would earn more and provide financial support to the family.

Economic growth increases job opportunities for all genders, changing family investment calculations regarding education.
A strong correlation exists between economic growth and girls' education rates.
As economies grow, girls stay in school longer, and college attendance increases.
Globally, secondary education rates for girls have been rising in the 21st century, with some regions potentially exceeding boys' education rates.
In developed economies like the US, women's college enrollment rates are higher than men's.

Higher education for girls leads to delayed marriage and lower adolescent childbearing rates.
Delayed marriage results in women having fewer children during their lifetime.
Economic growth is linked to declining fertility rates.
As education and formal sector employment become common for both genders, women's traditional roles as wives and mothers diminish.
Reduced family obligations create opportunities for women to work in the formal sector and participate in public life.

Traditionally, women were assigned to private spaces (domestic, household), while men were assigned to public spaces (local, regional, global).
Economic development blurs these divisions, expanding women's roles to include all aspects of public life.

Geographic mobility, the ability to move through space, is a measure of individual liberty.
Economic development increases women's freedom of movement due to their participation in school, employment, and public life.
Increased education and workforce participation enhance women's geographic mobility.
Mid-20th century US economic growth expanded the service sector, creating job opportunities for educated women.
In countries like China and Mexico, manufacturing growth provided jobs for young women, for example, in consumer electronics.
These changes made it more socially acceptable for women to move independently.
The introduction of household appliances and electricity reduces women's domestic labor, allowing them to participate in paid jobs.

Higher education rates for women correlate with increased participation in civic life and political institutions.
Women's presence in public spaces enhances their ability to make choices and participate in social decision-making.
Measuring women's representation in national parliaments is a simple way to assess their civic participation.
The United Nations Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM) offers a broader assessment of empowerment.
GEM includes:
- Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments
- Percentage of women in economic decision-making positions
- Women's versus men's share of earned income
The relationship between economic development and women's political participation is complex.
Some developed countries still exhibit cultural biases against women's political participation.
In the United States, women are underrepresented in elected offices.
Some developing countries have laws promoting equitable representation of women in elected offices.
Economic development, higher education rates for girls, and delayed marriage open more opportunities for women's political participation.
Increased participation in political life gives women a greater say in public policy matters, such as health and education.
This can lead to increased future opportunities for girls and women.