Paper short abstract:

Taking up how women's work is theorised, this paper first solves a knotty problem of social theory and then offers mixed-methods evidence about women's work in India and Bangladesh. We propose a universalist, inclusive and sustainable approach to work and to women and households as agents.

Paper long abstract:

Taking up how women's work is theorised, this paper first solves a knotty problem of social theory and then offers mixed-methods evidence about women's work in India and Bangladesh. We propose a universalist, inclusive and sustainable approach to work and to women and households as agents.

This solves problems that crop up in the social exclusion approach, the human-capital approach, and the breadwinner approach to so-called women's work. Using primary time-use data we show the key role women play in domestic and community social reproduction. However, the idea that they are 'socially excluded' portrays them as failures in the modern economy. A second theory - human capital theory - and other related variants also err by placing women too far as individualistic agents. We propose that with depth ontology and nested, linked agents, the best development studies offers clear solutions. In 'gender and development' we take note of the current state of the art: that women are 'classed' and intersectional. Moving forward we instead offer that a universalist approach sees women and men, in households and communities, relating both at the personal and household level through cooperation and negotiated solutions.

Our solution avoids the hopelessness of a standpoint being from within socially competing elements. Instead one needs to see social agents as cooperating strategically. Data from India and Bangladesh support our claims.