Gender and Family Businesses in Rural China

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Citation

Entwisle, Barbara; Henderson, Gail E.; Short, Susan E.; Bouma, Jill; & Feng-ying, Zhai (1995). Gender and Family Businesses in Rural China. American Sociological Review, 60, 36-57.

Abstract

We investigate the roles played by women and men in the emerging private sector in rural China. Specifically, we explore gender and the allocation of labor in household-run businesses in the rural areas of eight provinces. Data collected in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (1989) indicate that households with a large pool offemale labor are at no advantage in starting and running a small business; rather, business involvement depends on the male labor pool, especially the presence of older men. Furthermore, if a household runs a business, men are more likely than women to work in it. Men apparently have led the development and expansion of household business in rural China, while women increasingly specialize in agricultural activities. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed.

URL

http://www.jstor.org/stable/2096344

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

1995

Journal Title

American Sociological Review

Author(s)

Entwisle, Barbara
Henderson, Gail E.
Short, Susan E.
Bouma, Jill
Feng-ying, Zhai