Women's Work, 1840–1940

A unique overview of the issues surrounding women's work from 1840–1940.

Elizabeth Roberts (Author)

9780521557887, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 28 September 1995

108 pages, 15 tables
21.8 x 14.2 x 0.9 cm, 0.216 kg

This volume addresses some of the difficult issues surrounding women's work during a century of social upheaval, and demonstrates how hard it is to be precise about the nature and extent of women's occupations. It focuses on working-class women and the many problems relating to their work, full-time and part-time, paid and unpaid, outside and inside the home. Elizabeth Roberts examines men's attitudes to women's work, the difficulties of census enumeration and women's connections with trade unions. She also tackles in depth other areas of contention such as the effects of legislation on women's work, a 'family wage', and unequal pay and status. Dr Roberts' study provides a unique overview of an expanding field of social and economic history, while her survey of the available literature is a useful guide to further reading.

Editor's Preface
1. Some general questions about women's work
2. Women's full-time paid employment
3. Some social and economic aspects of the work of married women
4. Protection and restriction: government, employers and unions
5. Conclusion
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural history [HBTB]