Impact of Gender Equality and Division of Labor in the Market

This essay examines the significant issues surrounding gender equality in the labor market, highlighting the increasing participation of women in the workforce and the role of the service sector, particularly within the hospitality industry. It explores how household responsibilities impact women's career progression and suggests considering unpaid domestic activities in assessing gender division. The essay then delves into the concept of the division of labor, its benefits such as increased productivity and specialization, referencing Adam Smith and Stigler. It also contrasts Marx's perspective on the division of labor. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of specialization in the current economic climate, while also cautioning against over-reliance on specific skills due to potential market fluctuations. Overall, the essay provides a comprehensive analysis of gender equality, labor division, and their economic implications, drawing on various economic theories and real-world examples.

There is substantial presence of issues concerning gender equality in the labor market. The
market has witnessed growth in the in women participation as the new labor force (Becker,
1985). The reason behind the growth can be the increase in the inclination towards the increment
in earning power. Moreover, the growth in the service sector can be the likely assisting factor.
If the particular specialization is considered, particularly the impact of such scenario on the
managerial jobs in hospitality sector, then it can be stated that the increase in the earnings of the
women in comparison to the men have been modest. The service sector has witnessed that the
women employees are entangled in various household activities that impact to work effectively
on their job (Durand, 1946).
The activities include managing children, family, and other activities which reduces their
availability for the job mentally and physically. The more absence on mental side impacts the
performance of the women employee which eventually impacts their growth.
Therefore, it can be suggested that the household activities of the women should be taken into
consideration if the gender division is being tracked (Cohen, 2004). The activities that are unpaid
but mandatory such as the household activities should also be counted for the women.
Mostly, now women are moving into the jobs that are less different than the activities they do in
their household which increases their chance of effectively managing their jobs. The instance can
be taken from the hospitality sector where activities such as managing the restaurant are similar
to managing home with the difference of number of individuals.

The division of labor seems to be the important aspect as it provides improved productivity. The
specialization helps increase the productivity in particular aspect and returns are larger. Adam
Smith has asserted that extent of the market limits the labor division (Stigler, 1951). Moreover, it
has also been identified that the extensiveness in the trade size increases the opportunities for
specialization.
Considering the example of hospitality sector, it can be observed in full-fledged manner. When
initially there were more orientation towards manufacturing sector and growth, the hospitality
sector were being managed by handful of individuals involved in multiple activities. On the other
hand, as the time passed and the orientation changed from manufacturing to the service sector,
the hospitality (being one of the attractive service sectors) sector observed drastic improvement
in various specialized activities.
The increase in the market size allows various individuals and entities indulge in activities that
are more specific and produce greater output. Moreover, forming teams while being specialized
brings greater output than otherwise (Becker and Murphy, 1994).
Apart from the above, the Stigler has identified that the outsourcing of activities that are more
cost incurring and mundane, increases the chance of gains (Stigler, 1951). This impacts the cost
of production positively as the outsourced activities are generally handled by the entities or the
individuals who have specialization in the same. This increases the overall productivity by leaps
and bounds in comparison to handling all the activities in house without specific specialization.

If the Division of Labor is considered from the perspective of Marx then it can be found that his
concern was opposite to what Division of Labor proposes. His assertion was that the division of
labor increases the difference among the individuals and society. The division of labor is
contradictory to the real essence of man’s life. He asserted that the unity reduces in the society
due to this (Renzo Llorente, 2006).
However, if the current orientation of the society and its functioning is taken into consideration
then one can witness the increment in the specialized activities in every aspect of the industry
and production.
The specializations of the activities have increased the efficiency of the individuals and the
society constituting the same. The individuals are getting more oriented towards acquiring one
specific skill and mastering the same. This orientation is beneficial. However, it is doubtful that
the benefits of considering one specialized skill will stay for long.
The benefits of specialization can stick with the individuals or entities as long as there is
extensive demand of the particular sector. The reduction in the demand is likely to reduce the
opportunity for specialization which will eventually impact the individuals or entities holding
specialized skills.
Therefore, one can clearly state that consideration of specialization should be there but not
without an open understanding of the way economy and the demand is heading ahead. This
ensures the economic safety in the longer run.

The specialization can be considered as the imperative growth aspect for the current economic
condition. The involvement in specialization increases the proficiency of the economic actors
(Britnell, 2001). The reason behind the same is the learning curve. As the individuals constantly
involve in same activity over and over again, the rate of producing the same result increases with
the increased learning and efficiency.
Moreover, if the bigger picture is considered such as the military, scientists, child handling, then
it can be said that expecting an individual to be everything is near to impossible. It requires
impossible amount of time and effort to gain proficiency in all the possible activities and living a
sustainable life.
Moreover, specialization is not a new concept as from the beginning of human race, most tribes
can be observed putting individuals in specialized activities to improve the overall efficiency of
the tribe.
Marx has tried to place humans on the line of other species. The other species are self-dependent
as individual units as they protect themselves on their own and find food and shelter without any
support from their similar ones. It should be understandable that humans have more needs than
other species which cannot be fulfilled with the similar consideration.
The fulfillment of all the needs requires increased amount of efficiency that can only be achieved
through the specialization.

References
Durand, John D. 1946. "Married Women in the Labor Force." American Journal of Sociology
52(3):217-23.
Cohen, P. N. (2004). The gender division of labor “Keeping house” and occupational segregation
in the United States. Gender & Society, 18(2), 239-252.
Becker, G. S. (1985). Human capital, effort, and the sexual division of labor. Journal of labor
economics, S33-S58.
Becker, G. S., & Murphy, K. M. (1994). The division of labor, coordination costs, and
knowledge. In Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis with Special Reference to
Education (3rd Edition) (pp. 299-322). The University of Chicago Press.
Stigler, G. J. (1951). The Division of Labor is Limited by the Extent of the Market. The Journal
of Political Economy, 185-193.
Renzo Llorente, 2006, “Analytical Marxism and the Division of Labor,”
Science & Society, Vol. 70, No. 2, Rethinking Marx and History (Apr., 2006), pp. 232-251,
Britnell, R. H. (2001). Specialization of work in England, 1100‐1300. The Economic History
Review, 54(1), 1-16.