Paid domestic work in the social sciences: the predominance of the employer's perspective

Abstract

This article stems from my master's research, which examined the body of work produced specifically on paid domestic work within the Brazilian social sciences (sociology, anthropology, and political science) between the 1970s—when such studies began—and the year 2000, when significant changes in the sector became apparent. The study aimed to critically assess this literature by identifying the key contributions made by scholars toward understanding paid domestic employment in Brazil, one of the oldest yet most precarious occupations. Five major works (books, master's theses, and doctoral dissertations) were identified, all authored by women. By comparing the discourses of employers and domestic workers regarding paid domestic labor—drawing on a range of documentary sources—with the research foci of the scholars in question, it became evident that, despite their valuable contributions and important insights into the phenomenon, their studies were constrained by what is termed here the "employer perspective." The research findings suggest a need for closer scrutiny of academic output in the social sciences regarding paid domestic work, so that biases may be brought to light and properly examined. It is believed that greater social and racial diversity among the faculty and student bodies of academic institutions is fostering a more critical approach and, consequently, advancing knowledge in the field.