Patriarchal logics and gender inequalities through the financialization of housing

Abstract

This study aims to examine the current knowledge about the relationships between financialization, housing issues, patriarchal logic, and gender inequalities to identify gaps in knowledge, which, in turn, can be considered as topics of scientific interest for future research. To this end, the study provides an exhaustive review of current academic debate regarding the abovementioned topics from the perspectives of critical urban geography, urban political economy, sociology, and gender and feminist studies. This study points out that the patriarchal roots of the financialization of housing originate from the exclusion of housing from the social provision and from its conversion to a financial asset, subordinating its use value to its exchange value. This logic strengthens gender inequalities in the form of women facing a higher debt burden to pay for housing, an increase in their unpaid reproductive labor and salaried labor, and the reinforcement of the gendered division of labor.