Gendered Lives

‘Gendered Lives offers novel and sometimes unexpected findings that contribute to new understandings of not only the causes of gender inequalities but also the ongoing implications for economic well-being and societal integration. Although gender inequality is a well-worked field, the research presented in this book is both innovative and timely.’
– SirReadaLot.org

‘This state-of-the art collection brings together the latest research of eminent experts in the field. It combines a wide sweep with focused analysis of gender dynamics at home and at work, and the interaction between them. A longitudinal and life course perspective underpins the authors’ assessment of the current state of gender inequality, and helps explain why some domains are more resistant to change than others. This timely and innovative volume will be an excellent resource for academics and policy-makers alike.’
– Miriam Glucksmann, University of Essex, UK

This meticulous book examines how gender inequalities in contemporary societies are changing and how further changes towards greater gender equality might be achieved.

The focus of the book is on inequalities in production and reproductive activities, as played out over time and in specific contexts. It examines the different forms that gendered lives take in the household and the workplace, and explores how gender equalities may be promoted in a changing world. Gendered Lives offers many novel and sometimes unexpected findings that contribute to new understandings of not only the causes of gender inequalities but also the ongoing implications for economic well-being and societal integration.

This topical and interdisciplinary study by leading researchers in the field will appeal to course leaders, researchers and postgraduate students in sociology, economics, public policy, demography and human geography. Social scientists interested in gender equality, labour market behaviour and public policy will also find much to interest them in this fascinating book.

Contents:

Introduction: Gender Inequalities in Production and Reproduction
Jacqueline Scott, Shirley Dex, Heather Joshi and Anke C. Plagnol

PART I: GENDERED LIVES UNFOLDING ACROSS TIME
1. The Childhood Origins of Adult Socio-economic Disadvantage: Do Cohort and Gender Matter?
John Hobcraft and Wendy Sigle-Rushton

2. Changing Career Trajectories of Women and Men Across Time
Erzsebet Bukodi, Shirley Dex and Heather Joshi

3. Halfway to Gender Equality in Paid and Unpaid Work? Evidence from the Multinational Time-use Study
Jonathan Gershuny and Man Yee Kan

PART II: GENDER INEQUALITIES IN THE HOUSEHOLD AND WORKPLACE
4. Financial Togetherness and Autonomy Within Couples
Fran Bennett, Jerome De Henau, Susan Himmelweit and Sirin Sung

5. Global Flows and Local Labour Markets: Precarious Employment and Migrant Workers in the UK
Linda McDowell, Adina Batnitzky and Sarah Dyer

PART III: GENDER INEQUALITIES IN A CHANGING WORLD
6. Equality Law and the Limits of the ‘Business Case’ for Addressing Gender Inequalities
Colm McLaughlin and Simon Deakin

7. Work–Family Conflict and Well-being in Northern Europe
Jacqueline Scott and Anke C. Plagnol

8. Gender Equality and Work–Family Balance in a Cross-national Perspective
Jane Lewis

Index