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Sex inequality driven by dispersal
Yuan Chen1, Erhao Ge1, Liqiong Zhou2
1State Key Laboratory of Grassland and Agro-Ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PRC; Department of Anthropology, University College London, 14 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW, UK.
Current Biology : CB
|January 10, 2023
Summary
Sex-biased dispersal at marriage contributes to gender inequality. Women who move upon marriage face a heavier workload, indicating reduced bargaining power and unequal labor division.
Area of Science:
- Anthropology
- Sociology
- Human Ecology
Background:
- Gender inequality is a widespread issue, affecting both public and private spheres.
- Sex-specific dispersal patterns at marriage may influence social structures and power dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of sex-biased dispersal on the sexual division of labor.
- To examine workload inequality between sexes across diverse social structures in southwest China.
Main Methods:
- Utilized wearable fitness trackers to quantify daily physical activity levels.
- Validated tracker data by correlating 'steps' with high-energy (e.g., agriculture) and low-energy (e.g., leisure) activities.
- Employed multilevel comparative analyses to compare workload patterns between sexes under different dispersal conditions.
Main Results:
- Identified being female and dispersing at marriage as factors associated with unfavorable workload distribution.
- Findings support the hypothesis that males gain increased bargaining power by remaining in natal homes.
- Demonstrated a link between dispersal patterns and inequality in the sexual division of labor.
Conclusions:
- Sex-biased dispersal, particularly female dispersal at marriage, exacerbates gender inequality in labor division.
- Natal home residence may confer greater bargaining power to males, contributing to workload disparities.
- Understanding dispersal strategies is crucial for addressing gender inequality in diverse societies.
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