The virus changed everything, didn't it? Couples' division of housework and childcare before and during the Corona crisis
Titelübersetzung:Das Virus hat alles verändert, oder? Die Aufteilung von Hausarbeit und Kinderbetreuung in Paarbeziehungen vor und während der Corona-Krise
Autor/in:
Hank, Karsten; Steinbach, Anja
Quelle: JFR - Journal of Family Research, 33 (2021) 1, S 99-113
Inhalt: Objective: To contribute to the discussion about the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender (in)equality. Background: We focus on a core aspect of gender (in)equality in intimate relationships, namely couples’ division of housework and childcare, and whether this has changed during the Corona crisis. Method: Our descriptive analysis is based on pre-release data from the German Family Panel (pairfam; Wave 12) and its supplementary Corona web-survey (n=3,108). Results: We observe no fundamental changes in established aggregate-level patterns of couples’ division of labor, but some shift towards the extremes ('traditional' and 'role reversal') of the distribution. Regarding changes within couples, there is an almost equal split between those in which the female partner’s share in housework and childcare increased and those in which it decreased. Particularly in previously more egalitarian arrangements, a substantial proportion of women is now more likely to be primarily responsible for everything. If male partners increased their relative contribution to housework and childcare, they rarely moved beyond the threshold of an equal split. Changes in employment hours were associated with adaptations of men's, but not women's, relative contribution to domestic and family responsibilities. Conclusion: Our findings neither support the notion of a 'patriarchal pandemic', nor do they indicate that the Corona crisis might have fostered macro-level trends of gender convergence. We rather observe heterogeneous responses of couples to the 'Corona shock'.
Schlagwörter:Partnerschaft; partnership; Ehepaar; married couple; Arbeitsteilung; division of labor; Hausarbeit; housework; Kinderbetreuung; child care; gender-specific factors; soziale Ungleichheit; social inequality; Federal Republic of Germany; Covid-19 pandemic; Corona; German Family Panel (pairfam; Wave 12) and its supplementary COVID-19 web-survey
SSOAR Kategorie:Familiensoziologie, Sexualsoziologie, Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung
Inhalt: Feminist street art aims to transform patriarchal spaces into places of gendered resistance by asserting a feminist presence in the city. Considering this, as well as women’s social life, their struggle against lingering forces of patriarchy, and relating features of inequality (domestic violence), there was a feminist installation artwork by the young Kurdish artist Tara Abdulla that shook the city of Sulaimani in Iraqi Kurdistan on 26 October 2020. She had prepared a 4,800‐meter‐long washing line covered with the clothes of 99,678 Kurdish women who were survivors of sexual and gender‐based violence. They installed it along the busiest street of the city (Salim Street). She used this piece of feminine to express her reaction to the Kurdish society regarding, the abuse that goes on silently, behind closed doors. She also aimed towards normalizing women’s bodies. After the installation, she received many controversial reactions. As her artwork was a pioneering project in line with feminist issues in Kurdistan which preoccupied the city for quite a while, the aim of this article is to investigate the diverse effects of her work on the current dialogue regarding gender inequality in the Kurdish society. To do this, we used the research method of content analysis on big data (Facebook comments) to investigate the public reactions of a larger number of locals. The Feminine effectively exposed some of the deep‐rooted cultural, religious, and social barriers in addressing gender inequalities and silent sexual violence issues in the modern Kurdish patriarchal society.
Schlagwörter:öffentlicher Raum; public space; Kunstwerk; work of art; Feminismus; feminism; soziale Ungleichheit; social inequality; gender-specific factors; woman; Kurdistan; Kurdistan; Facebook reactions; Sulaimani; feminist street art; gender inequalities dialogue
SSOAR Kategorie:Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung, Kultursoziologie, Kunstsoziologie, Literatursoziologie
Post-apartheid South Africa’s exacerbated inequality and the Covid-19 pandemic: intersectionality and the politics of power
Autor/in:
Joseph, Juliet Eileen
Quelle: EUREKA: Social and Humanities, (2021) 6, S 68-78
Inhalt: Over the past fifteen years there has been an increase in the number of protest movements globally. In recent years and amid the global pandemic there have been hundreds of protests and demonstrations in South Africa. Consequently, in comparison to other parts of the globe, such protest action in South Africa is high. As a result, stable governance in the region has been impacted. Notably, during the resistance years in defiance of the apartheid regime, citizens in South Africa expressed their social discontent against exclusion and marginalisation through identities as radical and intersectional - this was also articulated in the recent protests that occurred in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Johannesburg in July 2021. This highlights the relevance of intersectionality within this region. Intersectionality can be seen to refer to the inequalities that exist beyond femininities and masculinities. Intersectional theory explores aspects of discrimination, oppression, exploitation and inequality across identity, gender, race, ethnicity and class. This study uses a qualitative research approach to conceptually analyse intersectional theory. Thereafter the study discusses the relevance of intersectional theory in a post-apartheid context by illustrating intersectionality through the unrest and protests that occurred, following the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma. The findings of the study suggest the need to unpack the legacies of African elitism and social relations, while implementing intersectional reform that promotes greater inclusivity of citizens in the state.
Schlagwörter:Republik Südafrika; Republic of South Africa; soziale Ungleichheit; social inequality; Protest; protest; Intersektionalität; intersectionality; Exklusion; exclusion; Diskriminierung; discrimination; Kapitalismus; capitalism; nationalism, Covid-19 protests
SSOAR Kategorie:politische Willensbildung, politische Soziologie, politische Kultur
Affective Politics of Care during COVID-19: Feminist Views of Political Discourses and Intersectional Inequalities in Mali
Titelübersetzung:Affektive Politiken der Sorge während COVID-19: Feministische Blickwinkel auf Politische Diskurse und intersektionale Ungleichheiten in Mali
Autor/in:
Hasenöhrl, Syntia
Quelle: Historical Social Research, 46 (2021) 4, S 100-122
Inhalt: Contrary to many African states’ restrictive COVID-19 measures in the first half of 2020, which had severe socio-economic and political effects, the Malian government appeared more moderate in its fight against the pandemic and even introduced social measures to alleviate the effects of COVID-19 (measures). However, increasing anti-government protests still culminated in a military coup in August 2020. In order to shed light on government commu-
nication during that time as one factor in this paradox, this article focuses on the politics of care constructed by the Malian political elite between March and August 2020. The article uses an affective-discursive approach to analyse government communications and contrasts them with a feminist view of associations, NGOs, and activists. It shows that postcolonial, capitalist, and gendered path dependencies have decreased opportunities for care from the
Malian state and increased the intersectional vulnerabilities of Malians to COVID-19 measures. In addition, the article demonstrates how the affective politics of domestic and international care that were maintained through the presidential discourse used securitisation and solidarity to construct subject positions that, however, incorporate rather than challenge the aforementioned inequalities.
Schlagwörter:Mali; Mali; Pflege; caregiving; Fürsorge; welfare care; soziale Ungleichheit; social inequality; Intersektionalität; intersectionality; Gesundheitspolitik; health policy; Sozialpolitik; social policy; Westafrika; West Africa; affect; care; political discourse; affective politics; COVID-19; power relations; pandemic
SSOAR Kategorie:Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung, Gesundheitspolitik
Left Behind? The Status of Women in Contemporary China
Autor/in:
Walker, Robert; Millar, Jane
Quelle: Social Inclusion, 8 (2020) 2, S 1-9
Inhalt: The status of women in China has deteriorated markedly since 2006 relative to other countries, according to the World Economic Forum Gender Gap Index. Taking a longer view, the position of women has greatly improved since the founding of the People’s Republic of China but, after the ‘opening up’ of the economy, the logic of the market and the legacy of patriarchy have worked to the detriment of women. After briefly reviewing trends in China’s economic, demographic and social development, this editorial follows the structure of the thematic issue in focusing on the processes which may have caused women to slip behind. Socio-economic and political factors are considered first before focusing on the impact of unprecedently large scale migration. The circumstances and experiences of women ‘left outside’ mainstream society are explored next before reflecting on the lives of women left behind in poverty.
Schlagwörter:China; China; woman; sozialer Status; social status; sozioökonomische Entwicklung; socioeconomic development; gender-specific factors; soziale Ungleichheit; social inequality; Patriarchat; patriarchy; politische Faktoren; political factors; Migration; migration; Erwerbstätigkeit; gainful employment; China; economic development; employment; family; gender; marketisation; migration; patriarchy; poverty; women
Women in China Moving Forward: Progress, Challenges and Reflections
Autor/in:
Yang, Juhua
Quelle: Social Inclusion, 8 (2020) 2, S 23-35
Inhalt: While China's socialist revolution has been credited with improving the status of women, gender inequality remains. Drawing on macro data, this article provides an overview of gender equality in China, focusing on labor force and political participation in the past 70 years, particularly since 1978, the onset of socioeconomic reform. Specifically, the article describes, compares, and examines the progress and challenges that women face in accessing economic opportunities and political resources. We find a more equal relationship between male and female when resources are relatively adequate, but that females are disadvantaged when resources are scarce, for example, including representation in more prestigious occupations, higher income, and political positions. These findings illustrate how inequality is maintained and reproduced, and suggest that despite China’s progressive socialist agenda, its gender revolution remains 'stalled.'
Schlagwörter:China; China; soziale Ungleichheit; social inequality; gender-specific factors; woman; Erwerbsbeteiligung; labor force participation; politische Partizipation; political participation; Gleichstellung; affirmative action; historische Entwicklung; historical development; Geschlechterverhältnis; gender relations; Benachteiligung; deprivation; Ostasien; Far East
Work-Family Arrangement and Conflict: Do Individual Gender Role Attitudes and National Gender Culture Matter?
Autor/in:
Bornatici, Christina; Heers, Marieke
Quelle: Social Inclusion, 8 (2020) 4, S 46-60
Inhalt: This article examines the relationship between couples' work-family arrangement and individuals' perceived work–family conflict (WFC), considering individuals’ attitudes towards gender roles and national gender culture in 37 countries (N = 15,114). Previous research has shown that WFC depends on work and family demands and has mostly accounted for absolute time spent in paid and domestic work. We hypothesize that WFC depends on couples' work-family arrangement in terms of time spent in paid, domestic and care work. We further expect that the relationship between couples' work-family arrangement and WFC depends on individuals' gender attitudes and national gender culture. To test these assumptions, we use the ISSP-2012 data and apply multilevel linear regression analyses. The findings indicate that an egalitarian work-family arrangement - that is, sharing paid, domestic and care work equally with one's partner - is associated with lower levels of WFC. Moreover, individuals with egalitarian gender attitudes and an egalitarian work-family arrangement experience less WFC than individuals with inconsistent attitudes and behaviours. Individuals with consistent traditional attitudes and behaviours experience the most conflict. Finally, a more egalitarian gender culture relates to less WFC. Cross-level interactions indicate that the relationship between work-family arrangement and WFC is not mediated by countries' gender culture.
Schlagwörter:Familie-Beruf; work-family balance; Geschlechtsrolle; gender role; gender-specific factors; Arbeitsteilung; division of labor; Hausarbeit; housework; Betreuung; care; allein erziehender Elternteil; single parent; soziale Ungleichheit; social inequality; kulturelle Faktoren; cultural factors; internationaler Vergleich; international comparison; care work; couple dynamics; gender culture; gender role; work–family arrangement; work–family conflict; ISSP 2012
SSOAR Kategorie:Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung, Familiensoziologie, Sexualsoziologie
Left Behind? Migration Stories of Two Women in Rural China
Autor/in:
Fan, C. Cindy; Chen, Chen
Quelle: Social Inclusion, 8 (2020) 2, S 47-57
Inhalt: Women being left behind in the countryside by husbands who migrate to work has been a common phenomenon in China. On the other hand, over time, rural women’s participation in migration has increased precipitously, many doing so after their children are older, and those of a younger generation tend to start migrant work soon after finishing school. Although these women may no longer be left behind physically, their work, mobility, circularity, and frequency of return continue to be governed by deep-rooted gender ideology that defines their role primarily as caregivers. Through the biographical stories of two rural women in Anhui, this article shows that traditional gender norms persist across generations. Yingyue is of an older generation and provided care to her husband, children, and later grandchildren when she was left behind, when she participated in migration, and when she returned to her village. Shuang is 30 years younger and aspires to urban lifestyle such as living in apartments and using daycare for her young children. Yet, like Yingyue, Shuang’s priority is caregiving. Her decisions, which are in tandem with her parents-in-law, highlight how Chinese families stick together as a safety net. Her desire to earn wages, an activity much constrained by her caregiving responsibility to two young children, illustrates a strong connection between income-generation ability and identity among women of the younger generation. These two stories underscore the importance of examining how women are left behind not only physically but in their access to opportunities such as education and income-generating activity.
Schlagwörter:China; China; ländlicher Raum; rural area; Wanderarbeitnehmer; migrant worker; woman; Betreuung; care; gender-specific factors; Geschlechtsrolle; gender role; Arbeitsteilung; division of labor; soziale Ungleichheit; social inequality; Ostasien; Far East; caregiving; left behind; rural-urban migration
SSOAR Kategorie:Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung, Familiensoziologie, Sexualsoziologie
Unsichtbare Arbeit: geschlechtersoziologische Perspektiven auf Verfestigungen und Neuverhandlungen von Ungleichheiten am Beispiel von Digitalisierung, körpernahen Dienstleistungen und der Corona-Pandemie
Titelübersetzung:Invisible Work: stabilization and re-negotiation of inequality in the fields of digital work, body work and in light of the Covid-19 pandemic - a sociology of gender perspective
Autor/in:
Carstensen, Tanja; Klein, Isabel
Quelle: AIS-Studien, 13 (2020) 2, S 61-77
Inhalt: Die Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung hat bereits in den 1970er Jahren herausgearbeitet, dass sich das Verhältnis von Arbeit und Geschlecht entlang der Achse Sichtbarkeit/Unsichtbarkeit konstituiert. Die Un/Sichtbarkeit von Arbeit ist grundlegend für die Hervorbringung von Geschlechterungleichheiten, sowohl in Erwerbsarbeit als auch in (unbezahlter) Reproduktionsarbeit. Gleichzeitig wird die Grenze zwischen beiden immer wieder neu verhandelt. Der Beitrag rekonstruiert dieses Verhältnis und untersucht am Beispiel von Digitalisierung, körpernahen Dienstleistungen und der Corona-Pandemie, wie sich durch aktuelle Veränderungen das Verhältnis von Arbeit, Geschlecht und Unsichtbarkeit neu konstituiert und differenziert. Der Beitrag zeigt, dass Unsichtbarkeit als analytische Kategorie in der Erforschung von Arbeit und Geschlechterverhältnissen den Blick auf historische Kontinuitäten genauso wie auf Grenzverschiebungen und Neuaushandlungen schärfen kann.
Schlagwörter:gender-specific factors; gender; woman; berufstätige Frau; working woman; soziale Ungleichheit; social inequality; Digitalisierung; digitalization; Dienstleistungsarbeit; service work; Epidemie; epidemic; Geschlechterverhältnis; gender relations; COVID-19; Coronavirus
SSOAR Kategorie:Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung, Industrie- und Betriebssoziologie, Arbeitssoziologie, industrielle Beziehungen