The Economic Emergence of Women

by Barbara R. Bergmann

This new edition of a classic feminist book explains how one of the great historical revolutions - the ongoing movement toward equality between the sexes - has come about. Its origins are to be found, not in changing ideas, but in the economic developments that have made women's labour too valuable to be spent exclusively in domestic pursuits. The revolution is unfinished; new arrangements are needed to fight still-prevalent discrimination in the workplace, to achieve a more just sharing of housework and childcare between women and men, and, with the weakening of the institution of marriage, to re-erect a firm economic basis for the raising of children.

Genres: Economics, Gender, Feminism, Sociology, Nonfiction, Read For School

263 pages, Paperback

First published September 17, 2005

Reviews

[Ariane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great account of some of the most prominent topics when it comes to women and economics: from the reasons behind "the economic emergence of women", which provides a broad and deep coverage of the history of female employment with different theoretical explanations; to the future-looking policy proposals of the last chapter.

The book is quite broad when it comes to topic coverage: it does focus a lot on labor market discrimination: roots, different ways of discrimination, ways forward. The economic role of housewives is also well discussed, as are other topics such as affirmative action, work life balance or the especial -and difficult- situation of lone parents (who are mostly, let's face it, women).

The book is easy to read and yet it does not fall short of theoretical insights or deep and contrasted explanations. Loads and loads of data to be found.

Fully recommended!