Gender differentiation: Emile Durkheim and the growth of the sexual division of labour.
Here is a passage I found from Durkheim’s work:
“Women long ago gave up war and public affairs to concentrate on the family... Today, among civilised peoples, the woman leads an existence entirely different from that of man. One would say that the two great functions of psychic life are dissociated, with one sex monopolising the effective functions and the other, intellectual functions.” (Durkheim, 1978). What this piece of writing is telling me is that in Durkheim’s view, the divide in labour of men and women came across more advantageous for women as although it was men going away and the hard work; such as going away to war. The women stayed behind and did jobs that were highly respected back then, for example, teaching. (Lamanna, 2002:177). The lack of male role models not only effected children but also women, who were left behind emotionally disturbed to work and provide for their children. This equipped women in dealing with emotional interaction with children. |
Men at work in the 19th century left a strident message for men at work or going into work now, informing them of the sorts of jobs real men should be doing. This again, influences the decisions men make about their career choices now.
The difference between man and woman is the elementary reality of our ways of life and our attitude towards the different cultures. The difference between males and females is not only distinguished by genetics or features but by socially learned functions. Having both male and female teachers helps neutralise how children feel about their teachers. Usually women are the more nurturing ones whereas men hold authority, but by having both genders in control, both men and women teachers will be view as nurturing and holding authority. |