Why could outsourcing be called a patriarchal bargain?

As the world becomes more globalized and technology advances, outsourcing has become an increasingly popular way for businesses to cut costs and improve efficiency. However, as with many business practices, there are both advantages and disadvantages to consider when deciding whether or not to outsource. In this article, we will explore why outsourcing could be considered a patriarchal bargain, and what that means for individuals and society as a whole.

Outsourcing: A Patriarchal Bargain?

At its core, outsourcing is the practice of hiring someone or a company to perform tasks that would otherwise be done in-house. While this can be an effective way to save money and increase productivity, it also raises important questions about power dynamics and gender roles.

One of the main reasons why outsourcing could be considered a patriarchal bargain is because it often involves transferring power from one group to another. When a business outsources a task, they are essentially hiring someone or a company to do that work for them. This means that the person or company doing the work is taking on the burden of responsibility for that task, while the business remains in control of the overall project and the resources required to complete it.

This dynamic can be particularly problematic when it comes to gender roles. Historically, women have been relegated to subordinate positions in many workplaces, and this is often reflected in the types of tasks that are outsourced.

Another reason why outsourcing could be considered a patriarchal bargain is because it often involves paying people in different parts of the world for their work. This means that businesses are able to pay less for labor in some countries than they would in others, and this can lead to significant cost savings.

However, this also means that workers in these countries may be paid less than they would be if they were working domestically. This dynamic can be particularly problematic when it comes to gender roles again. Women in many parts of the world are often paid less than men for the same work, and this can be exacerbated by outsourcing.

The Impact on Individuals and Society

So, what does this all mean for individuals and society as a whole? If outsourcing is indeed a patriarchal bargain, then it could have significant negative impacts on women and other marginalized groups.

If businesses continue to outsource tasks traditionally done by women, then these women may find themselves struggling to find work in their own countries. This could lead to widespread poverty and inequality, as well as a loss of cultural identity for many individuals.

Furthermore, if businesses are able to pay less for labor in some parts of the world than they would domestically, then this could lead to a devaluation of workers’ wages and a loss of bargaining power. This could be particularly problematic for women and other marginalized groups, who may already struggle to find work or negotiate fair wages.

Case Studies: The Reality of Outsourcing

One example of the impact of outsourcing on individuals and society can be seen in the case of the Haitian garment industry. In recent years, there has been a push to outsource garment production from countries like China and India to Haiti, which has some of the lowest wages in the world.

According to a report by the Fair Labor Association, many Haitian garment workers are paid less than the minimum wage and work long hours in dangerous conditions. This has led to widespread poverty and inequality in the country, as well as a loss of cultural identity for many individuals.

Another example of the impact of outsourcing can be seen in the case of the tech industry.