Crisis, austeridad y transformaciones en las desigualdades de género

The paths of transmission of economic crises and policies implemented differ across gender lines. Though each crisis is unique, a gender analysis of past economic crises shows three historical patterns: intensification of female work, both paid and unpaid, later recovery of female employment and increased job precarity, and a backtracking on gender equality. This article analyzes these trends and the extent to which gender inequalities are being modified or aggravated during the economic crisis of 2008-14. Some special features of this crisis, which can counteract the refamiliarization of care and the individualization of risk brought up by austerity policies, are also considered: the path dependence of gender equality policy, women catching up to men in educational attainment, deindustrialization and overall precarity of employment.