Women's Two Roles: A Contemporary Dilemma

(Hardback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Phyllis Moen describes the meshing of work and family roles not only as the private dilemma of individual women and their families but also as a public dilemma for the nation. This is an issue linked to deep apprehensions about families' and children's well-being, to demands for gender equality, to the outcry of some for a return to the traditional wife-as-homemaker role, and to growing concerns about labor market needs, productivity and economic competitiveness. Moen addresses the following central questions: What are the major implications - for society, families, husbands, children and women themselves - of the substantial and progressive movement of American women into the labor force The dominant focus is on employed mothers of young children (those under the age of six) since it is these women who have experienced the greatest change and who encounter the greatest difficulty in reconciling employment demands and family responsibilities. An overriding theme is the uneveness of social change; American mothers of young children may be moving into the labor force in unprecendented numbers, but husbands, employers and public policies are slow to accommodate this emerging reality. The issues raised are of concern to a broad spectrum of "the educated public", but the book should be no less valuable to social scientists seeking to extend their knowledge of issues in this area of growing concern and can be used in courses relating to the sociology of the family, social problems, gender roles and social policy.

Reviews

"Although numerous books and articles have described the stresses and strains experienced by employed women and their families, this book contains new, relevant information....[The author] brings new information and insights into the costs for women and for young children of mothers' combining two roles...[and] includes logical arguments for transforming the structure of work and for reconfiguring the patterns of education-work-retirement over women's--as well as men's--life course."-Choice
Although numerous books and articles have described the stresses and strains experienced by employed women and their families, this book contains new, relevant information....[The author] brings new information and insights into the costs for women and for young children of mothers' combining two roles...[and] includes logical arguments for transforming the structure of work and for reconfiguring the patterns of education-work-retirement over women's--as well as men's--life course.-Choice
Bringing together the literature on work and family of the past three decades, this book provides the reader with a solid review and critique of relevant research. The presentation achieves a balance of the necessary historical perspective, supporting demographic trends, and intriguing questions that makes the material both informative and thought provoking. Another strength of the book is its consistent social and political contextual analysis of the work-family dilemma, including a feminist perspective on gender roles that is woven throughout. Overall, both the novice and seasoned reader in this area will find this compact volume a useful addition to his or her library.-Affilia
"Bringing together the literature on work and family of the past three decades, this book provides the reader with a solid review and critique of relevant research. The presentation achieves a balance of the necessary historical perspective, supporting demographic trends, and intriguing questions that makes the material both informative and thought provoking. Another strength of the book is its consistent social and political contextual analysis of the work-family dilemma, including a feminist perspective on gender roles that is woven throughout. Overall, both the novice and seasoned reader in this area will find this compact volume a useful addition to his or her library."-Affilia

Author Bio

PHYLLIS MOEN is Director of Cornell Life Course Institute and Professor of Human Development and Family Studies and of Sociology at Cornell University. Among her earlier publications are Working Parents: Transformations in Gender Roles and Public Policies in Sweden (1989) and numerous articles in scholarly journals.