The close relationship between the economy and sex
Capitalism is an economic system where private actors own and control property, and production decisions are affected by the forces of a free market. Firms are motivated by profit and competing to get ahead means playing games - games that are deeply rooted in patriarchy.
With capitalism came the division of labour in society - the separation of work and family life. It reinforced the idea of the patriarchal family unit, inherently subordinating women. Men were associated with working to provide for the family, while women were associated with reproductive responsibilities. They were forced to take care of domestic life - cooking, cleaning, and children.
Women were perpetuated as less committed to their work and the economy, and therefore as inefficient workers. Even today when women step out into the public sphere, their work is undervalued, and their handwork is tagged as relentless. And this is exactly where the origin of the gender pay gap comes in.
Since women were considered incompetent, they were employed at minimum wage, and usually exploited. We continue to see a reflection of this today. As per a report published by UN Women, the worldwide gender wage gap is estimated to be 23 per cent. This results in a lifetime of income inequality between men and women and more women retiring into poverty.
Hence, capitalism is the very genesis of mere biological differences being used to justify the toxic legacy of women in subordinate positions. This is a legacy we must work on demolishing.