Women's Power, Children's Labor

Abstract

Data coded for 91 Standard Cross-Cultural Sample Societies are used to examine the sexual division of labor between adults and children cross-culturally. Results from cross-tabulations of 15 adults' and children's activities in these societies indicate that women are the main recipients of the benefits of children's labor. The gender of the child is the main determinant of children's work assignment. Children of both genders in most societies perform women's activi ties, whereas girls rarely do men's activities in any society.