Gender inequality in childhood: toward a life course perspective

Gender Issues • Vol/Iss. 19 • Published In • Pages: 61-86 •
By Baunach, Dawn Michelle

Abstract

This article builds upon gender inequality theory to examine childhood gender inequality in preindustrial societies. Multivariate and cluster analysis are used.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)Other ResearchersComposite variables of childhood gender equality use codes from Whyte (1978) and Barry et al. (1980a, 1980b). Adult gender inequality codes are from Sanday (1981).

Hypotheses (12)

HypothesisSupported
Ecological factors of complexity (population, technology and agriculture, social organization) will be positively correlated with gender inequality for both adults and children (64).Partially supported
Environmental harshness (inadequate food and hunger) will be positively associated with childhood gender inequality (65); it will be less correlated with adult gender inequality.Partially supported
Male aggression or beliefs that women are inferior will be positively associated with gender inequality in childhood and adulthood (65).Partially supported
Warfare will be positively associated with gender inequality for adults and children (65).Partially supported
The lack of women's participation in politics/public life will be positively associated with adult gender inequality but not childhood gender inequality (66).Supported
Patrilocality will be positively associated with childhood gender inequality but not adulthood gender inequality (67).Supported
Female economic contribution will be negatively associated with childhood and adulthood gender inequality (67).Partially supported
Women's economic control will be negatively associated with adulthood gender inequality but not strongly correlated to childhood gender inequality (68).Not Supported
Father involvement will be negatively associated with adulthood gender inequality and, more strongly, childhood gender inequality (68).Not Supported
Indulgence of children will be negatively associated with childhood gender inequality (68).Supported
Patrilocality will predict childhood gender inequality when controlling for technology, hunger, warfare, women's political participation, and women's economic contribution and control (79).Supported
Women's political participation and economic control will predict adult gender inequality when controlling for technology, hunger, warfare, patrilocality, and women's economic contribution (79).UNKNOWN
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Kate Cummings  Tahlisa Brougham