Processo histórico de naturalização do trabalho reprodutivo como atributo feminino no capitalismo

Abstract

Sexual division of labor is the designation of man primarily to the productive sphere while woman are tasked with the reproductive sphere. The devaluation of reproductive labor, mistified as a woman’s natural vocation, and the comprehension of the sexual division of labour as a historical process related to capitalism justifies the making of this study. This is a theoretical research, at undergraduate level, carried out as part of a Course Conclusion Project.The objective is to map elements of the historical process of reproductive labour naturalization as a feminine atribute, analysing the consolidation process of the sexual division of labor in the capitalist system, based on the available literature. The specific objective is to analyse how ethinic-racial, geografic and class elements conect to the discussion about sexual division of labor. As such, relevant works were identified, so as to select the more adequate ones to the proposed investigation. After the systematic reading of the material the following discussion axes were defined: primitive accumulation and work in the capitalist system; reproductive work; historical elements of the construction of reproductive labor as a feminine attribute; new configurations of female work at international and national levels; and production of subjectivities and feminism. It is concluded that the naturalization of reproductive work as a feminine attribute is a historically constructed and situated process, which operates in favor of the capitalist structure, based on the accumulation of more value on an unpaid activity that is essential for the reproduction of the system, typically carried out by women.