The decision of and ability for women to participate in the labour force is the outcome of various socio-economic factors that interact in a complex fashion at both the micro and macrolevel. Discuss.

Socio economic factors at micro level

1. Family → Household income is inversely corelated to women participation. As per Karuna Ahmad, women are the first to withdraw, when incomes rise. → Status in family and household burden create a double shift (Arlie Hoschild) impacting labour force.
2. Religion → Hinduism says the first role of woman as a mother and wife. Uma Chakravorty calls this phenomena of 'Ek Pativrata'. This further restricts productive role.

.) Cultural values of treating women's income as secondary, considering her inferior restricting promotions (TS Papola) are also responsible.

Macro factors

.) Capitalism → As per Margaret Benston, capitalism gets the unpaid labour of reserve army of women. It further restricts them to part time, low paid, pink collar jobs.

.) Caste → Each caste exhibits a specific patriarchy. While upper caste sees 'housewifization' manifested in rituals & fasts, lower caste witnesses 'feminisation of agriculture' and poverty.

.) State → As per Sylvia Walby state's policies are supportive of men restricting women. Eg men are taken as head of household in policies. Eg Taliban restricting women.

.) Media → Objectification of women accompanied by crime and violence limits their workforce participation. Eg → Recent auction of Muslim women on app 'Sulli Deals'.

.) Vulnerable subaltern status of tribal, low caste, class women further subject them intersectional stratification.

Labour force participation is a function of both social and economic factors.