Stone, Karen (1983) A comparative analysis of West Indian, white and Asian mothers in the home and at work. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

Preview

PDF WRAP_Theses_Stone_1983.pdf - Submitted Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Download (30Mb) | Preview

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

An examination of the employment situations of West Indian, white and Asian women waged workers in Britain reveals both shared characteristics and ethnic differences. My research considers the main similarities and differences and assesses the significance of four major determinants of women's employment options. Gender divisions within the labour market, state and employers' policies towards working mothers, cultural differences in the interpretation of gender roles and the ideology of parentcraft, and racial discrimination are examined.

My analysis derives from an examination of existing literature and my own empirical research which was conducted during 1978 and 1979 In the Handsworth area of Birmingham. My research consists of a study of childcare facilities, a survey of local employment opportunities, which was conducted by means of interviews with major employers and follow-up enquiries in response to job vacancy advertisements, and semi-structured taped interviews with 31 West Indian, 22 Asian and 16 white mothers.

Previous approaches to women’s employment fail to recognise differences between women and do not sufficiently consider the relationship between the structure of the labour market and the role of women within the family. My research provides substantive evidence of the relationship between women's role in the family and their role in production, and demonstrates variations in the employment and family situation of women of different ethnic origins and the influence of state and employers' policies.

I show that while a worker's gender is more significant than ethnic origin in determining their employment situation, ethnic differences must also be considered. Cultural variations in the interpretation of gender roles, and the ideology of motherhood, have a significant impact on the proportion of women who engage in paid labour, and the number of hours worked, while racial discrimination influences the type of work performed and the level of unemployment experienced by black workers.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Working mothers -- England -- Birmingham, Mothers -- Great Britain -- Social conditions, Women -- Employment -- Great Britain, Minorities -- Employment -- Great Britain
Official Date:	June 1983
Dates:	Date Event June 1983 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Sociology
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Rex, John ; Beechey, Veronica ; Fryer, R. H.
Format of File:	pdf
Extent:	xi, 523 leaves : charts
Language:	eng

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads