Entailment theory and method: a cross-cultural analysis of the sexual division of labor

Behavior Science Research • Vol/Iss. 12 • Published In • Pages: 1-24 •
By White, Douglas R., Burton, Michael L., Brudner, Lilyan A.

Abstract

This article discusses constraints on role behavior that affect the division of labor, focusing on women’s childcare responsibilities, the nature of production sequences, and occupational specialization. The authors employ entailment analysis to examine 50 activities; results suggest three findings: 1) men are more likely to be assigned tasks that require travel and exposure to danger, 2) men are more likely to perform tasks that are early in the production sequence, and 3) if women perform a task at an early stage of production, they are more likely to perform subsequent tasks.
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Kate Cummings  Amelia Piazza