Story: Unpaid domestic work

Counting for nothing

In her 1989 book Counting for nothing, economist Marilyn Waring argued that because women’s domestic work was considered ‘non-productive’ and was therefore not included in national statistics, this major contribution by women was not recognised in the making of public policy.

Using this item

Bridget Williams Books
Reference: Marilyn Waring, Counting for nothing: what men value & what women are worth, Wellington: Allen & Unwin/Port Nicholson Press, 1988.
Artwork by Lindsay Misson

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Sound file from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero (Women - Marilyn Waring - “Counting for Nothing”/Reference number T6701).

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Matt Morris, 'Unpaid domestic work - The importance of unpaid work', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/speech/23295/counting-for-nothing (accessed 21 April 2024)

Story by Matt Morris, published 11 Mar 2010