n my family. From the time I turned five, my father assigned me tasks that he deemed appropriate for a woman. My responsibilities ranged from learning how to cook to taking care of the laundry. My mother contributed to my "feminization" by teaching me how to knit. On the other hand, my brothers were guided by my father to learn how to do "man's work." These tasks included mowing the lawn and washing the car.
In the workplace, men are celebrated for their accomplishments in work, while women's work is given little credit. Because of gender stereotyping, the "masculine" qualities, such as leadership and assertiveness, are powerful tools men can use to be promoted. On the other hand, women's "feminine" qualities are detrimental to their success in the working place. According to the male viewpoint, women cannot be as dedicated as men in their jobs, because they are diverted by their family responsibilities.
Historical Division of labor: Pre-Industrial Europe to Industrial Revolution
Because of the low productivity that prevailed during the preindustrial period, most people, regardless of age or sex had to work in order to survive. In general, in every European society, between 65 and 90 percent of the working population worked in agriculture. However, it is important to note that peasants' wives often contributed both to agricultural activities and to manufacturing and domestic services.
Skilled labor was mainly located in the towns. In fact, the wealth of the manufacturing sector was built on the skills of the qualified people. During the pre-industrial era, human capital constituted the key element to the success of any manufacturing enterprise.
One of the primary occupations of women during this era was wet nursing. Apart from providing domestic services, women were also involved in the production of major commodities such as bread, pasta, socks and woolens. For example, in textile manufacturing, merchants provid...