Titelaufnahme

We show that the descendants of ancient farmers may have an interest in maintaining the gendered division of labour originally justified on comparative-advantage grounds by the advent of the plough even after they emigrate to a modern industrial economy where individual productivity depends on education rather than physical characteristics. The result rests on the argument that, if an efficient domestic equilibrium requires the more productive spouse to specialize in raising income, and the less productive one to specialize in raising children irrespective of gender, a norm requiring the husband to do the former and the wife to do the latter will implement this equilibrium even in an economy where individual productivity reflects education rather than gender. But, an efficient equilibrium may not involve specialization if education and time spent with children give direct utility.