Women and Men at Work

by Irene Padavic, Barbara F. Reskin

The Second Edition of this best selling book provides a comprehensive examination of the role that gender plays in work environments. This book differs from others by comparing women′s and men′s work status, addressing contemporary issues within a historical perspective, incorporating comparative material from other countries, recognizing differences in the experiences of women and men from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Relying on both qualitative and quantitative data, the authors seek to link social scientific ideas about workers′ lives, sex inequality, and gender to the real-world workplace. This new edition contains updated statistics, timely cartoons, and presents new scholarship in the field. It also provides a renewed focus on reasons for variability in inequality across workplaces. In sum, the second edition of Women and Men at Work presents a contemporary perspective to the field, with relevant comparative and historical insights that will draw readers in and connect them to the wider concern of making sense of our dramatically changing world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology, Gender, Feminism

232 pages, Paperback

First published February 14, 1994

Reviews

[Rissa (rissasreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an informative read and one that really goes into the societal values and colonial values and how they impact(ed) both men and women. I think this is a great read for people getting into the pay disparity conversation and want to know more about how it has happened and the why behind it. My complaint about this book is that it's very muchso a white feminist take on this topic. There wasn't much conversation on the intersectionality of racism and how much more being a racialized individual can impact you. It was kept very brief and I feel it could've expanded more on that topic.
I did really enjoy how it brings up that the way society views the gender roles of a man and a woman have impacted men as well. Men were never given safety protections at a policy level when women were. It discusses how men who try to be there for the family tend to have the same retaliation in their place of work as women would (and do) experience. Plus I really liked the comment that while women are being placed in higher roles, they aren't given the same decision making powers as men. Something I see first hand working under a woman who is a manager in my place of employment.
It's also great that this book noted that the revolution of women being more active in the labor force needs to be accompanied by a revolution of men being more active in the domestic labor around the home.

[hallie · Rating 3 out of 5]

read this for a class. informative + grueling. wish me luck on my exam.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a lot of statistics in this book that show proof that women still have a long way to go in terms of equality in the workforce and in domestic work. Even though it was published in 1993 it is still very relevant. It also talks about the social construction of gender - how there are actually very few biological differences between the sexes and by creating gender differentiation we're exaggerating differences and creating some where none exist. Super interesting. Most of our beliefs are subconcious, and this book calls them out. Great read.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring but educational.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

really great, easy read about inequality in the workplace

[Katie ratherbereadinggg · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars