200 Years of Feminisation of Professions in Poland—Mechanism of False Windows of Opportunity

This paper presents the problem of the female labour market in Poland and the phenomenon of the feminisation of selected occupations. The main aim was to identify the mechanisms behind the feminisation of occupations in Poland and its consequences by combining considerations of labour market theory with development path theories. This research employed various methods such as the method of analysis of secular trends, as well as a critical reinterpretation of the literature review. Data from the 19th century to 2019 were analysed. The textile industry, education, local public administration, and social care are included in the analysis. The research motivation was to answer the question as to when and under what conditions the selected occupations were feminised. The mechanism of false windows of opportunity was identified, as well as times when the windows of opportunity to enter a given occupation opened and closed for women. Specifically, the research findings described that the female labour market is dependent on the male labour market and thus windows of opportunity offer new employment opportunities but with limited possibilities and under poorer conditions.

No fats, no fems, no problems? Working out and the gay muscled body

This article investigates two ubiquitous slogans that circulate among gay social media apps: ‘No Fats, No Fems’ and ‘Masc for Masc’. In their recurrence, both offer gendered readings of corporeality and ability, which equate muscled bodies with forms of desirable masculinity. In collecting data from SCRUFF, I document how gay male social media apps generate narrow definitions of masculinity that, like the slogans, uphold physical fitness and compulsory able-bodiedness as hallmarks of gay desirability. Alongside these trends, I highlight ‘working out’ as an exceptional form of gay male labour that prioritises ability and transforms the muscled body into a commodity that is successfully advertised on these apps.

The Effects of Human Capital by Gender on Economic Growth

The issue of human capital by gender has been sparsely discussed in previous literature especially male labour force. The contribution of both genders to economic growth has intensified every year. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of human capital by gender on economic growth in Malaysia. Data ranging from 1982 to 2018 were analysed by using the ARDL approach. The results show that higher male labour force participation rates can boost economic growth in the short run and long run in Malaysia. Higher female labour force participation rates, on the other hand, can reduce economic growth in the short run and long run in Malaysia. Therefore, the government should encourage more male labour to participate in the labour market by giving incentives. More job opportunities should be created for both genders.

Goat Production in Oyo State: A case study of Ogbomoso town

The study was conducted in two Local Government areas (LGAS) of Oyo State: Ogbomoso North and Ogbomoso South L.G.A. The study was carried out through the use of structured questionnaires. A total of 90 questionnaires were administered randomly in the two LGAS. Questions were asked based on background, production system, constraints to goal production e.l.cof the respondents. The data were analyzed separately using descriptive analysis. The results showed that 95.2% of household owners of goat were females while the major farms emplored male labour. West African Dwarf goat was the common breed of goat raised in the two LGAS. Majurin of the household owners of goat practised free range system of production (86.7%) while u lurge percentage of the major farms practiced intensive system of production (80%). There were no specialized housing and feeding programmes, a larger percentage of both categories fed crop residues such as cassava peels, cornstarch meal residues, and cowpea husk to the goats. The household owners of goal seldom feed forage to their goats (20%) while all the major farms fed forage to the goats. The common diseases in the area were diarrhea, pneumonia and mange. Noform of control breeding was practiced among the categories of goat keepers. There is a lack of extension service in the areas because majority of both the household owners (98%) and major farms (60%) did not have access to extension agents. The constraints to goat production in the area include accidents on the road, seasonality of seed supply, diseases, theft, lack of capital and land.

Fatherhood, marriage and male labor market outcomes

We explore the relationship between fatherhood and marriage and male labour outcomes. We challenge the direction of causality. The difference in differences method for three periods (before, per year, and after an event in family life) allows establishing whether changes in family life follow changes in work life or vice versa. The results are obtained using data from RLMS‐HSE for individuals and households in the period 2014–2017. We find limited confirmation of individual effects. They can be attributed to both direct and inverse relationships between male labour outcome and changes in family life.

Labour Force Participation Rate and it Implications on Food Security, Fertility Rate and Economic Growth in West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) Countries

The study investigated the impact of labour force participation rate and its implications on food security, fertility rate and economic growth in the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ). Using data from 6 countries over the period of 1990 tо 2016 and pool autoregressive dіstrіbutеd lаg (PАRDL) bоunds tеstіng рrосеdurе was employed. The result from the study showed that female labour force participation and health expenditure per capita determine food security and male labour force participation, female labour force participation, gross capita formation, health education per capita and enrolment in secondary education are the variables that determine fertility rate, while male labour force participation, female labour force participation, health expenditure per capita and enrolment in secondary education affect GDP per capita. The study recommended that policies should be directed toward increasing female labour force participation which will compliment male labour force participation as well as increase decent and productive work opportunities for female workers which will promote GDP per capita, leading to reduction in fertility rate and promote food security among member countries. Furthermore, family-friendly policies will further encourage females to participate in the labour market. Therefore, more efforts should be made to promote female labour force participation as the entire WAMZ countries will benefit from the growth and welfare improvement that it will generate. WAMZ countries governments need build their capacity through investment in health and education in order to enhance productivity of the labour force which will lead to economic growth, reduction in fertility rate as well as promote food security. This study has contributed empirically and theoretically to the body of knowledge. The scope covered also makes the study uniquely robust and different from previous ones.

Circular Labour Migration from Rural India: A Study of Out-Migration of Male Labour from West Bengal

Circular labour migration from rural areas has emerged as a key feature of the Indian economy. Generally seen as a positive development, because of its impact of remittances on the household economy of the migrants, circular migration has also been associated with exploitation and unfreedom of the migrant labour. This paper focuses on labour out-migration to the construction sector from one of the economically backward districts of West Bengal, India. Firstly, it examines who participates in this migration process and highlights the nature of such migration. Secondly, it explores the outcomes of labour migration focusing on both the economic as well as the social dimensions. Thirdly, these outcomes are linked with the broader debates on the migration–development linkages. This paper argues that rather than focusing on the short-term and static gains of out-migration, there is a need to investigate the long-term, life-cycle implications of such circular labour migration.