The Economics of Women, Men, and Work

For courses concerned with the economic status of women, economics of gender, and economics of the family, but also applicable to interdisciplinary women's studies courses, introductory-level courses in economic problems, and as a supplement to general labor economics courses. This text draws into a single, highly accessible volume the most current summary and synthesis of research and data from economics and other social sciences on women, men, and work in the labor market and household.

We wroteThe Economics of Women, Men, and Workbecause we saw a need for a text that would acquaint students with the findings of research on women, men, and work in the labor market and the household. We are extremely gratified on the publication of the 4th edition to reflect that this belief was justified, and hope that this expanded and updated new edition will serve as effectively as the first three. OVERVIEW OF THE TEXT The book is written at a level that should both utilize and enhance students' knowledge of economic concepts and analysis but do so in terms intelligible to those not versed in advanced theory. Even though we assume a knowledge of introductory economics on the part of the reader, an interested and determined individual wanting to learn more about the economic status of women as compared to men could benefit considerably from the material offered here. The book also draws upon research in the other social sciences. The text, used in its entirety, is primarily intended for courses specifically concerned with the economic status of women. However, this book could be used to good advantage in interdisciplinary women's studies courses, as well as introductory-level courses in economic problems. Selected readings would also make a useful supplement to round out a general labor economics course. In addition, it would also serve as a useful reference work for those not familiar with the rapidly growing body of literature on women, men, and work as well as for practicing economists looking for a single volume on this topic. SIGNIFICANT FEATURES OF THE 4TH EDITION The 4th edition has been thoroughly revised to reflect the numerous changes in the labor market and in the family that have occurred in recent years. All data and references have been updated to take into account the most recent research on each subject covered. Questions have been added at the end of each chapter to provide for review of major concepts and to stimulate further discussion among students and instructors. The other new features of the 4th edition as well as some of the changes previously incorporated in the 3rd edition are summarized here. As in the past, we thoroughly review trends in the labor supply of women and men to the market. In Chapter 4, we summarize these trends and provide some analysis of important recent developments including the large increase in labor force participation of single mothers in the late 1990s. Our consideration of the role of labor market discrimination in explaining gender differences in labor market outcomes in Chapter 7 now includes a more detailed discussion of issues surrounding the notion of a "glass ceiling." We highlight important recent developments in the labor market and their consequences for women and men. These include the decrease in the gender wage gap, as well as the declining employment prospects of less-educated men; growing wage inequality, the rise of nonstandard employment arrangements such as temporary and on-call workers and consultants, and changes in welfare policy that have moved greater numbers of welfare recipients, largely single mothers, into the labor force. Each chapter has been modified to some extent to reflect these changes as relevant, and Chapter 8, "Recent Development in the Labor Market," and Chapter 10, "Policies Affecting Paid Work and Family," focus specifically on these developments. We devote considerable attention to changes within married-couple families as well as to changing family structure and the implications of these shifts for labor market outcomes. Chapter 3, which focuses on nonmarket work, introduces a new discussion of trends in time spent with children, which is of interest, both in terms of its implications for time spent in nonmarket work and its potential implications for children's development. Further, this chapter takes a much closer look at alternatives to the standard economi