Gender Stereotypes in Occupational Pattern

Abstract

The paper hypothesizes to examine the ‘Exclusion’ phenomenon for women workers in Indian labour market through gendered occupational segregation and ‘Inclusion’ of women in low productivity and low skilled jobs as a result of adverse incorporation based on stereotypes and discriminatory practices prevalent in the society. The gendered division of work space in Indian economy is evident from the disaggregated study of occupational employment patterns and relative educational qualification of employed men and women. The National Sample Survey (NSS) Employment-Unemployment unit level data (68th Round, 2011-12) is used for the analysis. It is observed that women employment in low productivity jobs is partially a result of their low education level as compared to men workers. However, this is only a part of the answer and the circle of low productivity jobs and low education levels of women is nurtured by the stereotypical foundations of the patriarchal system.