Employment and the Family
The Reconfiguration of Work and Family Life in Contemporary Societies

Examines the gendered division of labour and how it relates to contemporary employment and family life.

Rosemary Crompton (Author)

9780521600750, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 23 March 2006

252 pages, 34 tables
22.9 x 15.4 x 1.6 cm, 0.415 kg

'… this is an important and useful book for students at different levels and disciplines, but also for a wider set of readers seeking deeper insights into how life is affected by contemporary developments in work and politics.' Acta Sociologica

Rates of employment amongst mothers of young children have risen rapidly in recent years. Attitudes to gender roles have changed, and both employers and governments have had to adjust to new realities. But some argue that recent changes in employment relations are making work more family 'unfriendly'. What are the real consequences of change? Rosemary Crompton explores the origins and background of this radical shift in the gendered division of labour. Topics covered include the changing attitudes to gender roles and family life, the gendered organisational context, and recent changes in employment relations and their impact on work-life articulation. A comparative analysis of Britain, France, Norway, Finland, the United States and Portugal provides an assessment of the varying impact of state policies, and the changing domestic division of labour. Crompton draws on original research and situates her findings within contemporary theoretical and empirical debates.

1. Understanding change in employment, family and gender relations
2. Caring and working
3. Women, men, organisations and careers
4. Work-life articulation, working hours, and work-life policies
5. States, families, and work-life articulation
6. Households, domestic work, market work, and happiness
7. Class, family choices, and women's employment
8. Conclusions.

Subject Areas: Politics & government [JP], Sociology & anthropology [JH], Gender studies: women [JFSJ1]