ABSTRACT
This chapter presents evidence that many of the factors that lead to cohesive, long-lasting, economically healthy communal groups also produce structural changes within the groups that in turn alter the gender roles of their members. While Kanter (1973) and Solomon (1975) have recognized that the basic structure of the cohesive community, including its gender roles, differs drastically from that of the larger society, a longitudinal study of eight such groups reveals that they separated themselves from society in four distinct developmental stages. In the third stage, when male labor was needed for physical expansion, the proportion of men in the groups increased. In the last stage, the proportion of women increased as the groups’ distinctive new structure allowed greater freedom and equality for women while restricting the power and opportunities of men.
