ABSTRACT
Reproduction theorists assert that the schools reinforce the division of labor in the society by maintaining class, race and gender inequalities. Research on women's education, has always presumed that the schools impart a unitary message regarding appropriate division of labor between the sexes and, that whatever the schools teach, students learn. It reviews the evidence linking the schools to the reproduction of the sex role division of labor within US society. The chapter begins with a discussion of the nature of the sex role division of labor in the United States in public and private life. It describes analysis of the schools and evidence linking them to this division of labor. The chapter discusses the new ways of thinking about women's education and its significance for future research. Inequality between the sexes at its simplest level consists of separate spheres of work which result in differences in status, wealth and power.
