South Asia has a long tradition of paid domestic labor. The tradition lies within its ancient feudal society and has been sustained today by a combination of surviving feudalism, especially in the rural areas, and the industrialization and modernization that has spawned a new urban middle class that is willing to pay for domestic service. Paid domestic labor is usually carried out by women, often from a rural background, and includes typically female gendered activities such as childcare, cooking, cleaning, washing, taking ca…
Economics: Paid Domestic Labor: South Asia(1,284 words)
Cite this page
Ismail, Munira, “Economics: Paid Domestic Labor: South Asia”, in: Encyclopedia of Women & Islamic Cultures, General Editor Suad Joseph. Consulted online on 09 February 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1872-5309_ewic_EWICCOM_0240c>
First published online: 2009
▲ Back to top ▲