Thu 9 Oct 2008
Economic Double Whammy to Women
Posted by Susan under Uncategorized, economics for feminists, feminism and policy
The Economic Double Whammy to Women
Mass layoff events hit a record high in August. On Sept. 23, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 1,777 firms laying off 50 or more workers. The three job categories most seriously affected were temporary service workers, school and employee bus drivers, and professional association workers. These three occupations employ far more women than they do men. Unfortunately for women, the usual policy response to rising unemployment won’t help them much because this spending does not create jobs in the sectors where women work.
Fiscal stimulus to rev up the economic engine works. But the labor market is drastically different than it was in the 30 years following WWII. Fiscal policies during the so-called golden age of capitalism were responsible for the increases in men’s wages, rising productivity and rapid economic growth. Today, in contrast, most women work for pay outside the home. So attention must be paid to crafting a stimulus package that will directly increase jobs for women.
Reality-based economists have long argued that financial regulation is necessary for stability in the economic sectors where goods and services are actually produced and where the vast majority of jobs are located. Reality does not seem to extend to gender, however, as economists still offer policy responses that take no notice of gender differences in economic behaviors and/or outcomes. We must demand fiscal policies relevant to women’s economic positions.
Go to Broad Bytes, the blog of Women’s Enews to continue reading this piece.
October 18th, 2008 at 6:59 am
I understand that the loss of jobs in any area of the work force is not a good situation. But when you complain about the temporary help services, school and employee bus transportation employing far more women then men and its not right that it was there jobs that were lost is not looking at the big picture. They may of lost their jobs but there is cuts in government spending all over the board that include many more jobs that mostly employ a greater amount of males in the work force. In todays society there is jobs being lost all over the map so I dont think that we should worry about just the women that are losing their jobs but the total of job loss that is affecting all of the workforce today. Also, you said “So attention must be paid to crafting a stimulus package that will directly increase jobs for women.” What about the equal rights that people have been working towards. Are you saying that the importance of helping men back into the workforce should be put on the backburner so we can increase the jobs for women. If every individual in society today is suppose to be equal then isnt that putting womens rights ahead of mens rights to have equal opportunity in the work force. I know in the past males have dominated the work force but that does not give reason to try and have women take over there job, in todays society everyone should be treated on there ability to do the work that is required to the best possible outcome not that there isnt enough women in that kind of job so there should be more. Men and women are doing jobs that in the past would be refered to as a job for the other sex , so I say just let the best person do the job, male or female.