This essential student resource is the first of its kind to study this period.Working chronologically from the early 1840s up to the end of the twentiethcentury... » 

This essential student resource is the first of its kind to study this period.Working chronologically from the early 1840s up to the end of the twentiethcentury it examines over 150 years of womens employment history and thestruggles they have faced.With suggestions for research topics an annotated bibliography to aid furtherresearch and a chronology of important events which places the subject in abroader historical context Gerry Holloway considers how factors such as classage marital status race and locality along with wider economic and politicalissues have affected womens job opportunities and status.Key themes and issues that run through the book include continuity and change the sexual division of labor women as a cheap labor force womens perceived primary role of motherhood women and trade unions equality and difference education and training.Students of womens studies gender studies and history will find this afascinating and invaluable addition to their reading material. «