Routledge Library Editions: Women and Work – serie

This 18-volume collection contains titles originally published between 1932 and 1996. It examines the world of women and their relationship to work across a variety of professions, including those thought of as traditionally ‘male’. The majority of titles are from a sociological perspective, but the set also includes those from the fields of economics, history and psychology. This collection will be a great resource for those interested in women’s studies.

Originally published in 1932, this title is an attempt to outline the economic position of women at the time, to trace the origin of those features which most sharply differentiated Economic Woman from Economic Man, and to focus in a coherent view of the future the Will to Change which the present position inspired.

Originally published in 1932, this title is an attempt to outline the economic position of women at the time, to trace the origin of those features which most sharply differentiated Economic Woman from Economic Man, and to focus in a coherent view of the future the Will to Change which the present position inspired.

Women who work as prostitutes are struggling against a disadvantaged position in society. The relative poverty in which many women still live in is seen as the cause for prostitution, in that sex is their most saleable commodity and can bring them substantial financial rewards.Originally published in 1982 and drawing on her involvement with PROS (Programme for Reform of the Law on Soliciting), one of the Street Prostitutes’ Campaigns in Britain, and on interviews with prostitutes and their clients, the author examines how the financial benefits are offset by the attitudes prostitutes encounter from men. It is shown that while, in some ways, the role of client reflects men’s advantageous social position, male clients are often trying to compensate for failure in their marriage, or an inability to conform to the accepted masculine role. What the clients want and the conditions in which prostitutes work are discussed in separate chapters.Meanwhile, the Law, the media and public opinion unite to protect the public face of morality and to condemn prostitutes as a corrupting influence in society. This study concludes by showing how prostitutes’ campaigns are struggling with these issues and relates this to the feminist efforts to improve the conditions in which women exist and work.

Women who work as prostitutes are struggling against a disadvantaged position in society. The relative poverty in which many women still live in is seen as the cause for prostitution, in that sex is their most saleable commodity and can bring them substantial financial rewards.Originally published in 1982 and drawing on her involvement with PROS (Programme for Reform of the Law on Soliciting), one of the Street Prostitutes’ Campaigns in Britain, and on interviews with prostitutes and their clients, the author examines how the financial benefits are offset by the attitudes prostitutes encounter from men. It is shown that while, in some ways, the role of client reflects men’s advantageous social position, male clients are often trying to compensate for failure in their marriage, or an inability to conform to the accepted masculine role. What the clients want and the conditions in which prostitutes work are discussed in separate chapters.Meanwhile, the Law, the media and public opinion unite to protect the public face of morality and to condemn prostitutes as a corrupting influence in society. This study concludes by showing how prostitutes’ campaigns are struggling with these issues and relates this to the feminist efforts to improve the conditions in which women exist and work.

Over the past few years there had been a dramatic increase in the number of women entering the surveying profession. Fewer than five per cent of practising surveyors were women, but women comprised twenty per cent of students. Originally published in 1991, Surveying Sisters explores the question of whether ‘more’ would mean ‘better’, either for women surveyors themselves, or for women as consumers of the built environment.Clara Greed investigates the experiences of individual women surveyors, as well as studying the nature of the male majority. Taking a broadly feminist perspective and using an ethnographic approach, she develops a strong theoretical basis, incorporating the gender, class, and spatial dimensions of the situation, centring round the concept that surveying has its own distinct professional subculture. She traces the historical roots of the profession, and its attitudes to women, and makes constructive suggestions for improving the position of women surveying today.This was a highly topical study, at a time when the surveying profession was eager to attract more women in order to allay the effects of declining numbers of school leavers and potential ‘manpower’ shortages. It will be of interest to people concerned about issues of gender in disciplines such as sociology, management studies, higher education, urban geography, and women’s studies, and to the women and men who work in the surveying and other built environment professions.

Over the past few years there had been a dramatic increase in the number of women entering the surveying profession. Fewer than five per cent of practising surveyors were women, but women comprised twenty per cent of students. Originally published in 1991, Surveying Sisters explores the question of whether ‘more’ would mean ‘better’, either for women surveyors themselves, or for women as consumers of the built environment.Clara Greed investigates the experiences of individual women surveyors, as well as studying the nature of the male majority. Taking a broadly feminist perspective and using an ethnographic approach, she develops a strong theoretical basis, incorporating the gender, class, and spatial dimensions of the situation, centring round the concept that surveying has its own distinct professional subculture. She traces the historical roots of the profession, and its attitudes to women, and makes constructive suggestions for improving the position of women surveying today.This was a highly topical study, at a time when the surveying profession was eager to attract more women in order to allay the effects of declining numbers of school leavers and potential ‘manpower’ shortages. It will be of interest to people concerned about issues of gender in disciplines such as sociology, management studies, higher education, urban geography, and women’s studies, and to the women and men who work in the surveying and other built environment professions.

Women ‘kept the home fires burning’ while their men went off to war. This is the usual image of the part played by women in the First World War, reinforced through countless posters, government exhortations and even popular songs. It is very far from the truth. As this remarkable book shows, originally published in 1987, the truth was that women showed themselves capable of undertaking many roles hitherto the sole prerogative of men, a position accepted during the emergency of war but quickly ‘righted’ once peace was restored: the women who had helped to win the war were displaced by the returning heroes from the Front.Diana Condell and Jean Liddiard selected more than 150 superb contemporary photographs, and these unique pictures, with extended captions and accompanying text, illustrate the many and varied roles played by women in the First World War. Many of the photographs had never been published before and they reveal dramatically the extent to which women took over the day-to-day running of society during the war. Fulfilling these roles helped to change women’s perceptions of themselves and their place in the social fabric: the photographs are arranged thematically to reveal this and how society’s own view of women was altered as a result.The book also tells the story of the war from the female viewpoint, assessing its effect on the women involved. It focuses in a neglected but vital part of the history of the emancipation of women and also raises questions about what sort of victory they had worked for.In quality and range this was a pioneering study. More than that, through the haunting quality of its images it creates a pathway into the mind and world of the past.

Women ‘kept the home fires burning’ while their men went off to war. This is the usual image of the part played by women in the First World War, reinforced through countless posters, government exhortations and even popular songs. It is very far from the truth. As this remarkable book shows, originally published in 1987, the truth was that women showed themselves capable of undertaking many roles hitherto the sole prerogative of men, a position accepted during the emergency of war but quickly ‘righted’ once peace was restored: the women who had helped to win the war were displaced by the returning heroes from the Front.Diana Condell and Jean Liddiard selected more than 150 superb contemporary photographs, and these unique pictures, with extended captions and accompanying text, illustrate the many and varied roles played by women in the First World War. Many of the photographs had never been published before and they reveal dramatically the extent to which women took over the day-to-day running of society during the war. Fulfilling these roles helped to change women’s perceptions of themselves and their place in the social fabric: the photographs are arranged thematically to reveal this and how society’s own view of women was altered as a result.The book also tells the story of the war from the female viewpoint, assessing its effect on the women involved. It focuses in a neglected but vital part of the history of the emancipation of women and also raises questions about what sort of victory they had worked for.In quality and range this was a pioneering study. More than that, through the haunting quality of its images it creates a pathway into the mind and world of the past.

Why did working-class women become the central labour force on assembly lines in the new consumer goods’ industries of the inter-war period? What was the long-term significance of this for the pattern of women’s work, both in paid employment and in the home?Originally published in 1990, Women Assemble fills a major gap in the history of women and work, and develops a theory of women’s class relations, and of course gender and class more generally, by means of an original case-study. Taken from a wide variety of sources, it uses a multidisciplinary approach and is brought to life by interviews with people who worked in assembly-line industries during the inter-war period.This extremely readable study is important to feminists, historians, and sociologists, as well as to all those concerned with issues of gender, class, and the labour process.

Why did working-class women become the central labour force on assembly lines in the new consumer goods’ industries of the inter-war period? What was the long-term significance of this for the pattern of women’s work, both in paid employment and in the home?Originally published in 1990, Women Assemble fills a major gap in the history of women and work, and develops a theory of women’s class relations, and of course gender and class more generally, by means of an original case-study. Taken from a wide variety of sources, it uses a multidisciplinary approach and is brought to life by interviews with people who worked in assembly-line industries during the inter-war period.This extremely readable study is important to feminists, historians, and sociologists, as well as to all those concerned with issues of gender, class, and the labour process.

What are the effects of employment on women’s well-being and social position in a Third World city?Until recently before publication, Calcutta (now Kolkata) had been notable for having one of the lowest rates of female employment in India. This had been largely determined by strong cultural beliefs that a woman’s place is in the home. However, in recent years, the growth of ‘female’ jobs in the small-scale industry and service sectors, combined with an increase in male unemployment had resulted in a sudden increase in the numbers of women entering the labour force. Originally published in 1991 and based on Hilary Standing’s extensive fieldwork within Bengali households, Dependence and Autonomy considers the effects of women’s employment on the labour market, the household, and the women themselves. Particular attention is paid to the role of the life cycle and of class position in determining the impact of employment, and the work is set within a historical perspective on gender and employment in Bengali society.This book is a re-issue originally published in 1991. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

What are the effects of employment on women’s well-being and social position in a Third World city?Until recently before publication, Calcutta (now Kolkata) had been notable for having one of the lowest rates of female employment in India. This had been largely determined by strong cultural beliefs that a woman’s place is in the home. However, in recent years, the growth of ‘female’ jobs in the small-scale industry and service sectors, combined with an increase in male unemployment had resulted in a sudden increase in the numbers of women entering the labour force. Originally published in 1991 and based on Hilary Standing’s extensive fieldwork within Bengali households, Dependence and Autonomy considers the effects of women’s employment on the labour market, the household, and the women themselves. Particular attention is paid to the role of the life cycle and of class position in determining the impact of employment, and the work is set within a historical perspective on gender and employment in Bengali society.This book is a re-issue originally published in 1991. The language used is a reflection of its era and no offence is meant by the Publishers to any reader by this re-publication.

Originally published in 1984, this book touches the private lives and professional responsibilities of men and women, as it illustrates the comic as well as serious effects of the ‘incorporation’ of wives into some important State and commercial institutions. Beyond their domestic functions, wives have, in particular ways, been valuable props to many a husband’s career and many an employer’s and the nation’s interests. For example, the Army, civil administrations at home and overseas, and the police have, without questioning, depended on the services of wives – given silently, willingly or unwillingly. Yet the nature of the relationship of these ‘incorporated’ wives to the objectives of such institutions has, until recently, been largely unregistered in practice, unrecorded in social and historical accounts and unstudied by analysts.This book provides a wealth of ethnographic material. Personal anecdotes and scholarly interpretations throw light on the conceptual systems underlying the workings and cultures of institutions, as well as the construction of identities. Many will find their experiences echoed here.The issues raised are important not only for individual men and women, for whom such ‘incorporation’ may provide advantages as well as constraints, but because of the bearing they have on our understanding of marriage, especially since we cannot be sure this will continue in its present mode or as the dominant form of conjugal union. As more married women assume greater responsibilities at work, will their husbands give the same support to their wives and those who employ them as they themselves received? Further, it seems likely that wives may become less willing than in the past to render their services unacknowledged – indeed this trend is already apparent. We may ask, then, ‘who will fill the gaps?’, and ‘how will institutions change?’. The historical and contemporary studies here provide some base data and some theoretical approaches necessary for any who may wish to consider what will become increasingly acute practical questions.

Originally published in 1984, this book touches the private lives and professional responsibilities of men and women, as it illustrates the comic as well as serious effects of the ‘incorporation’ of wives into some important State and commercial institutions. Beyond their domestic functions, wives have, in particular ways, been valuable props to many a husband’s career and many an employer’s and the nation’s interests. For example, the Army, civil administrations at home and overseas, and the police have, without questioning, depended on the services of wives – given silently, willingly or unwillingly. Yet the nature of the relationship of these ‘incorporated’ wives to the objectives of such institutions has, until recently, been largely unregistered in practice, unrecorded in social and historical accounts and unstudied by analysts.This book provides a wealth of ethnographic material. Personal anecdotes and scholarly interpretations throw light on the conceptual systems underlying the workings and cultures of institutions, as well as the construction of identities. Many will find their experiences echoed here.The issues raised are important not only for individual men and women, for whom such ‘incorporation’ may provide advantages as well as constraints, but because of the bearing they have on our understanding of marriage, especially since we cannot be sure this will continue in its present mode or as the dominant form of conjugal union. As more married women assume greater responsibilities at work, will their husbands give the same support to their wives and those who employ them as they themselves received? Further, it seems likely that wives may become less willing than in the past to render their services unacknowledged – indeed this trend is already apparent. We may ask, then, ‘who will fill the gaps?’, and ‘how will institutions change?’. The historical and contemporary studies here provide some base data and some theoretical approaches necessary for any who may wish to consider what will become increasingly acute practical questions.

Originally published in 1981, Woman’s Worth takes up the challenge to the male preserve of economics – which was raised nearly a century ago by Charlotte Perkins Gilman in her classic work Women and Economics.Patriarchal economic systems – socialist as well as capitalist – are founded upon women’s unpaid labour. On this premise, Lisa Leghorn and Katherine Parker base their exploration of the economic basis of women’s culture across cultures: from the USA to South America, the Middle East, socialist countries, Africa and Europe.Women’s Worth is accessible and informative to those who have been intimidated by the term ‘international economics’. Its sources are women’s perspective and experience in many countries, in their words and in their writings, published and unpublished. Thus the authors are able to reveal the economic nature of facets of women’s lives which have hitherto been dismissed by traditional economics as features of family or personal life, and to build a new vision of an economics based in female values.

Originally published in 1981, Woman’s Worth takes up the challenge to the male preserve of economics – which was raised nearly a century ago by Charlotte Perkins Gilman in her classic work Women and Economics.Patriarchal economic systems – socialist as well as capitalist – are founded upon women’s unpaid labour. On this premise, Lisa Leghorn and Katherine Parker base their exploration of the economic basis of women’s culture across cultures: from the USA to South America, the Middle East, socialist countries, Africa and Europe.Women’s Worth is accessible and informative to those who have been intimidated by the term ‘international economics’. Its sources are women’s perspective and experience in many countries, in their words and in their writings, published and unpublished. Thus the authors are able to reveal the economic nature of facets of women’s lives which have hitherto been dismissed by traditional economics as features of family or personal life, and to build a new vision of an economics based in female values.

Originally published in 1980, women in the United Kingdom exhibited a pattern of work which was notably different from that in other countries of the EEC at the time. Its distinguishing feature was the high proportion of women who returned to work by the time they were forty years of age, having temporarily retired to care for young families. Although this pattern was of fairly recent origin, it was thought likely to be sustained. Women’s current life pattern was typically: school – training – work – withdrawal – retirement. Despite the existence of this pattern, agencies responsible for education, training and employment failed to recognise it as normal, often treating women as special cases. Thus there was a lack of flexibility in employment and insufficient retraining or part-time work. The problem was important both for qualified women who had made a considerable personal investment in a career, and for the nation in terms of effective manpower utilisation.The skills required in many occupations traditionally entered by women are either learnt on the job or by means of relatively short formal training courses. This book, however, examines in some depth seven careers which require a minimum of three years’ training. After a foreword by Baroness Nancy Seear and a chapter which introduces the concept of the ‘bimodal’ career and the consequent problems of withdrawal and re-entry, each chapter is written by an author who has conducted original research into the occupation under discussion, and specifically into women’s personal experiences in that particular calling. A concluding chapter considers the implications of the findings both for the individuals concerned and for social policy.

Originally published in 1980, women in the United Kingdom exhibited a pattern of work which was notably different from that in other countries of the EEC at the time. Its distinguishing feature was the high proportion of women who returned to work by the time they were forty years of age, having temporarily retired to care for young families. Although this pattern was of fairly recent origin, it was thought likely to be sustained. Women’s current life pattern was typically: school – training – work – withdrawal – retirement. Despite the existence of this pattern, agencies responsible for education, training and employment failed to recognise it as normal, often treating women as special cases. Thus there was a lack of flexibility in employment and insufficient retraining or part-time work. The problem was important both for qualified women who had made a considerable personal investment in a career, and for the nation in terms of effective manpower utilisation.The skills required in many occupations traditionally entered by women are either learnt on the job or by means of relatively short formal training courses. This book, however, examines in some depth seven careers which require a minimum of three years’ training. After a foreword by Baroness Nancy Seear and a chapter which introduces the concept of the ‘bimodal’ career and the consequent problems of withdrawal and re-entry, each chapter is written by an author who has conducted original research into the occupation under discussion, and specifically into women’s personal experiences in that particular calling. A concluding chapter considers the implications of the findings both for the individuals concerned and for social policy.

Women have always played an important, and dominant, role in social work. Originally published in 1975, their special contribution to the profession is the theme of this book, in which demographic data, biographical material and records of social work organizations are skilfully used to show how women shaped the development of social work from 1860 to the 1970s, often in the face of strong male resistance.Covering the earlier years of the period, Dr Walton examines the links with the general movement for women’s rights as well as differences in the attitudes of women social workers to those of the suffrage movement. He shows how the growing influx of men into social work in more recent times has affected the position of their female colleagues. He discusses variations in the proportion of sexes in probation, psychiatric social work, child welfare and medical social work, analyses typical patterns of employment for women social workers, and evaluates the appointment, in 1971, of directors of the social services. The author also looks into the future, exploring the potential contribution of women to the social work profession, with suggestions as to how the problems of women’s employment in social work might be overcome.

Women have always played an important, and dominant, role in social work. Originally published in 1975, their special contribution to the profession is the theme of this book, in which demographic data, biographical material and records of social work organizations are skilfully used to show how women shaped the development of social work from 1860 to the 1970s, often in the face of strong male resistance.Covering the earlier years of the period, Dr Walton examines the links with the general movement for women’s rights as well as differences in the attitudes of women social workers to those of the suffrage movement. He shows how the growing influx of men into social work in more recent times has affected the position of their female colleagues. He discusses variations in the proportion of sexes in probation, psychiatric social work, child welfare and medical social work, analyses typical patterns of employment for women social workers, and evaluates the appointment, in 1971, of directors of the social services. The author also looks into the future, exploring the potential contribution of women to the social work profession, with suggestions as to how the problems of women’s employment in social work might be overcome.

Originally published in 1981, this study is concerned with the extent to which the goal of sexual equality in employment, as set out, for example, in the Soviet constitutions of 1936 or 1977, had been realised in the USSR at the time. The main focus is on the nature and extent of economic inequality in the Soviet Union; the subject has wider implications, not only for our understanding of the USSR but also for our perceptions of the way that labour markets operate in a more general setting. The book should be of interest to feminists and labour economists as well as those with a professional interest in the Soviet Union.

Originally published in 1981, this study is concerned with the extent to which the goal of sexual equality in employment, as set out, for example, in the Soviet constitutions of 1936 or 1977, had been realised in the USSR at the time. The main focus is on the nature and extent of economic inequality in the Soviet Union; the subject has wider implications, not only for our understanding of the USSR but also for our perceptions of the way that labour markets operate in a more general setting. The book should be of interest to feminists and labour economists as well as those with a professional interest in the Soviet Union.

Originally published in 1994, This Working-Day World is lively collection of essays presenting a social, political and cultural view of British women’s lives in the period 1914–45. The volume describes women’s activities in many different areas, ranging from the weekly wash to the rescue of child refugees. Each essay, from an international list of contributors, is based on new research which will complement existing studies in a range of disciplines by adding information on, among other topics, women’s teacher training colleges, and women in the BBC, in medical laboratories and in Art schools. The book does not, however, idealise women: the militarism and racism of the period infected women too, and this is revealed in the account of women in the British Union of Fascists, and the analysis of the Pankhursts’ merging of patriotism and gender issues.Through studies and personal accounts, This Working-Day World reveals past issues that are still pertinent to debates in today’s society. As we read the chapter on the recently discovered Diary of Doreen Bates which outlines possibly the first female civil servant campaign for rights as a single mother, we hear echoes of issues being discussed today. Indeed, as we approach the end of the century it is a good moment to look back and re-evaluate areas and degrees of progress – or the reverse – in society, and in British women’s lives in particular. With its unusual photographs, this accessible and informative collection provides a rich resource for students in twentieth century social and cultural history, and women’s studies courses, and an enlightening volume for general readers.

Originally published in 1994, This Working-Day World is lively collection of essays presenting a social, political and cultural view of British women’s lives in the period 1914–45. The volume describes women’s activities in many different areas, ranging from the weekly wash to the rescue of child refugees. Each essay, from an international list of contributors, is based on new research which will complement existing studies in a range of disciplines by adding information on, among other topics, women’s teacher training colleges, and women in the BBC, in medical laboratories and in Art schools. The book does not, however, idealise women: the militarism and racism of the period infected women too, and this is revealed in the account of women in the British Union of Fascists, and the analysis of the Pankhursts’ merging of patriotism and gender issues.Through studies and personal accounts, This Working-Day World reveals past issues that are still pertinent to debates in today’s society. As we read the chapter on the recently discovered Diary of Doreen Bates which outlines possibly the first female civil servant campaign for rights as a single mother, we hear echoes of issues being discussed today. Indeed, as we approach the end of the century it is a good moment to look back and re-evaluate areas and degrees of progress – or the reverse – in society, and in British women’s lives in particular. With its unusual photographs, this accessible and informative collection provides a rich resource for students in twentieth century social and cultural history, and women’s studies courses, and an enlightening volume for general readers.

What are the realities of ‘community care’ – the unpaid care given by hundreds of thousands of women, often in their own homes – for children and adults who are handicapped or chronically sick, or for frail elderly people? Originally published in 1983, this book explores the experiences of such women and the dilemmas which ‘caring’ poses for them. At a time when most women needed to earn money from a paid job, how did ‘carers’ manage to juggle their caring and other domestic responsibilities, and what happened if they had to give up work?Against a background of government policies which favour care ‘by’ the community, the contributors to this book raise crucial issues for social and economic policy. Hilary Graham examines what caring really means and Clare Ungerson asks why women do it. Sally Baldwin and Caroline Glendinning focus on mothers with handicapped children and Fay Wright on single adults with elderly dependants. Alan Walker highlights the dependencies implicit in caring relationships with the elderly. Lesley Rimmer looks at the economic ‘costs’ of care, and Dulcie Groves and Janet Finch examine the invalid care allowance – a carers’ benefit for which married women can never qualify.In exploring the domestic sector of welfare, A Labour of Love was a highly topical contribution to the debate both on welfare provision and on the division of labour between men and women at the time.

What are the realities of ‘community care’ – the unpaid care given by hundreds of thousands of women, often in their own homes – for children and adults who are handicapped or chronically sick, or for frail elderly people? Originally published in 1983, this book explores the experiences of such women and the dilemmas which ‘caring’ poses for them. At a time when most women needed to earn money from a paid job, how did ‘carers’ manage to juggle their caring and other domestic responsibilities, and what happened if they had to give up work?Against a background of government policies which favour care ‘by’ the community, the contributors to this book raise crucial issues for social and economic policy. Hilary Graham examines what caring really means and Clare Ungerson asks why women do it. Sally Baldwin and Caroline Glendinning focus on mothers with handicapped children and Fay Wright on single adults with elderly dependants. Alan Walker highlights the dependencies implicit in caring relationships with the elderly. Lesley Rimmer looks at the economic ‘costs’ of care, and Dulcie Groves and Janet Finch examine the invalid care allowance – a carers’ benefit for which married women can never qualify.In exploring the domestic sector of welfare, A Labour of Love was a highly topical contribution to the debate both on welfare provision and on the division of labour between men and women at the time.

The labour market was undergoing considerable change. In particular, the advance of new technology and the development of positive action training for women had the potential to change patterns of gender segregation in the workplace. Originally published in 1992, Teresa Rees draws on a wide range of international studies of these issues and discusses them in the context of current theoretical and political debate. Based on work carried out by the author in Britain, Germany and Australia, Women and the Labour Market focuses on education and training policy, changes in labour supply, and changes in the nature and size of labour demand. It highlights the obstacles to equality at work, showing how the ideology of the family, the limitations of material reality and the exclusionary mechanisms operated by men have had an adverse impact upon women’s experiences of paid work. As well as underlining the power of patriarchy in shaping the labour market, Women and the Labour Market also discusses the development of policy measures which might have some effect on breaking down gender inequalities. An important contribution to debates at the time, the study puts forward practical suggestions for adjusting the system at the key points of recruitment, training and work organisation.

The labour market was undergoing considerable change. In particular, the advance of new technology and the development of positive action training for women had the potential to change patterns of gender segregation in the workplace. Originally published in 1992, Teresa Rees draws on a wide range of international studies of these issues and discusses them in the context of current theoretical and political debate. Based on work carried out by the author in Britain, Germany and Australia, Women and the Labour Market focuses on education and training policy, changes in labour supply, and changes in the nature and size of labour demand. It highlights the obstacles to equality at work, showing how the ideology of the family, the limitations of material reality and the exclusionary mechanisms operated by men have had an adverse impact upon women’s experiences of paid work. As well as underlining the power of patriarchy in shaping the labour market, Women and the Labour Market also discusses the development of policy measures which might have some effect on breaking down gender inequalities. An important contribution to debates at the time, the study puts forward practical suggestions for adjusting the system at the key points of recruitment, training and work organisation.