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Title: Household Technology: Was it the Engine of Liberation?

Citation Type: Miscellaneous

Publication Year: 2010

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Abstract: During the course of the 20th century labor saving technologies, from runningwater to modern appliances, have transformed home production. This paper assessesthe impact of these transformations on female labor participation rates andoccupational choices by using 1940 and 1950 US Census data on the diffusion ofplumbing facilities and refrigerators. Its findings indicate that the increased adoptionof modern refrigerators during the 40s did not have a significant impact onwomens participation to the labor market, while improvements in house plumbinginfrastructure may have contributed to the increase in clerical ad sales workers, butnot other occupations. However, I cannot reject that in 1940 cross-county differencesin household plumbing infrastructure contribute to explaining cross-county differences in female labor force participation rates.

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Authors: Cardia, Emanuela

Publisher: University of Montreal

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Gender, Labor Force and Occupational Structure

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