Economic Anthropology and Sexual Division of Labour

Economic Anthropology

Overview of Economic Anthropology

Economic anthropology focuses on the means of producing, distributing, and consuming goods within a society. It emphasizes that economic systems cannot be understood in isolation; rather, they are deeply intertwined with the culture of the society being studied.

Key Points

  • Cultural Integration: Economic processes are not separate from other cultural spheres. The understanding of economic activities requires a holistic view of the culture and societal norms.

  • Cultural Rules: Every society has its own set of cultural rules governing economic activity, which includes:

    • Patterns of Labour: The organization and role of work within the society.

    • Control of Land: Ownership and management of land resources.

    • Technology: Tools and methods employed in production.

    • Levelling Mechanisms: Social practices that mitigate disparities in wealth and resources.

Gender Specialization in Economic Roles

Gender Roles in Economic Activities

Economic roles often exhibit a specialization based on gender, with distinct tasks generally assigned to men and women across societies. Assembly of roles includes:

Women’s Roles

Women typically engage in the following activities:

  • Tending Crops: Women play a significant role in agriculture, particularly in the cultivation of crops.

  • Gathering Wild Foods: Women are often responsible for foraging for wild edibles, which can supplement food supplies.

  • Childcare: Women primarily take on the responsibility of caring for children, which is critical for family cohesion and child development.

  • Food Preparation: Responsibilities include cooking and preparing food for the family.

  • Housekeeping: Women generally manage domestic chores such as cleaning the house.

  • Fetching Water: A significant duty often performed by women, highlighting their role in maintaining household needs.

  • Collecting Cooking Fuel: Securing firewood or other fuel types is typically a task undertaken by women.

Men’s Roles

Conversely, men usually fulfill different responsibilities, often dictated by societal norms as follows:

  • Hunting: Engaging in the pursuit and capture of wild game for food.

  • Building Houses: Men typically take on construction roles for shelter and family habitation.

  • Clearing Land for Cultivation: This task is crucial for establishing agricultural bases.

  • Herding Large Animals: Managing livestock is often a role associated with men, impacting food sources and economics.

  • Fishing: Men frequently engage in fishing activities for food resources.

  • Trapping Small Animals: Hunting smaller prey is another task commonly undertaken by men.

  • Political Functions: Men often serve in roles that involve political organization and leadership in economic decision-making.

Sexual Division of Labour

Configurations of Labour Division

The sexual division of labour is a universal phenomenon that can be conceptualized in three distinct configurations:

  1. Flexible Configuration:

    • Tasks assigned to male and female are equal in importance and there exists approximately a 35% overlap in tasks without diminishing self-esteem among individuals from either gender.

  2. Dual Sex Configuration:

    • Males and females perform tasks that are equal in status, but there is a complete absence of any task overlap.

  3. Rigid Segregation Configuration:

    • Work tasks for males and females are strictly divided and unequal. Male tasks generally occur outside of the home environment while female tasks are confined to the household.