Final answer:
The prevalence of women in export processing zones like maquiladoras is mainly due to women being paid less than men, stereotypes about their dexterity, and the misconception that they are less likely to form unions, rather than superior educational qualifications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reasons why seventy-five percent of those employed in export processing zones, such as maquiladoras, are women include primarily economic factors and stereotypes about the labor capabilities and tendencies of women. While some may argue that women have better educational qualifications than men, this is an oversimplification and not the primary reason for their high presence in maquiladoras.
Instead, arguments that support the high percentage of female workforce in these zones include: ii. women being paid less than men, which is cost-effective for employers; iii. the stereotype that women are more dexterous than men, which might be valued in manufacturing roles requiring meticulous or repetitive tasks; and a belief that women are less likely to organize unions, a perception that could appeal to factory owners who prioritize a compliant and non-unionized workforce.
Despite the fact that women are increasingly gaining higher education qualifications, this is not necessarily reflected in the distribution of jobs within export processing zones. The dynamics in maquiladoras seem driven more by labor cost saving and gender stereotypes than by educational attainment.
It’s also worth noting that although these jobs are comparatively low-paying, they sometimes offer better pay than other available work post the Mexican recession of the 1990s, and the rise in demand for low-cost labor due to outsourcing has impacted the availability of high-paying jobs in developed countries like the United States.