Unmasking Gender Bias in Economic Models and Practices
1. Four Aspects of Economic Bias
Julie A. Nelson identifies four aspects of economic bias:
- Models: Traditional economic models often focus on the rational, self-interested agent, neglecting the complexities of human behavior and social contexts relevant to women.
- Methods: Economic research methodologies often prioritize quantitative data, overlooking women’s subjective experiences and contributions.
- Topics: Economics frequently focuses on male-centric topics, sidelining issues relevant to women and caregiving roles.
- Pedagogy: The teaching of economics can perpetuate biases by reinforcing androcentric views and discouraging feminist perspectives.
These biases lead to a limited understanding of economic realities, especially those affecting women.
2. Importance of the Unpaid Economy
Diane Elson emphasizes the importance of including the unpaid economy in economic analysis due to:
- Importance for Human Well-being: Excessive unpaid work burdens individuals, particularly women, impacting their quality of life and overall well-being.
- Underestimation of Economic Contribution: The unpaid economy significantly contributes to the overall economy but is often overlooked in traditional analyses.
3. Gender Division of Labor
The rational economic man model often assumes an efficient, gender-based division of labor, overlooking social and cultural factors and perpetuating stereotypes about women’s capabilities. This model also overlooks the social context and how societal norms and power dynamics influence individual choices, leading to policies that may not address women’s needs and realities.
4. Women’s Invisibility in Indian Agriculture
Women’s crucial contributions to Indian agriculture are often overlooked due to:
- Lack of Land Ownership: Cultural norms and practices often prevent women from claiming land ownership, limiting their control over resources.
- Unrecognized Labor Contributions: Women’s agricultural work is often classified as “unpaid family labor,” not recognized in official statistics.
- Limited Access to Resources: Women face barriers in accessing credit, training, and technology, further marginalizing them.
- Gendered Division of Labor: Men are often seen as primary farmers, marginalizing women’s roles.
- Policy Neglect: Women’s issues in agriculture are often sidelined in policy discussions.
- Cultural Norms and Socialization: Women are often socialized to view themselves as secondary to men in agricultural roles.
5. Critiques of the “Rational Economic Man”
The “rational economic man” model embodies gendered assumptions:
- Dispassionate Decision-Making: It overlooks how women may make decisions based on emotional connections and social obligations.
- Narrow Definition of Utility: It fails to account for the value of non-market activities like caregiving, predominantly performed by women.
These assumptions can obscure the complexities of women’s economic roles and contributions, perpetuating inequalities and undervaluing their work.