Abstract

SARACENO, Chiara. A difficult equality: women's participation in the labor market in Italy and the unresolved question of reconciling work and family life. Sociologia, Problemas e Práticas [online]. 2004, n.44, pp.27-45. ISSN 0873-6529.

The rates of female employment in Italy are lower than the European average and women are still leaving the labor market on account of family demands. The reasons for this are the lack of services, a pronounced gender-based division of labor and the fact that the family is generally left to take responsibility for looking after its dependent members. Equality of opportunity and the reconciliation of work and family life are issues that are still missing from the political agenda, despite certain recent innovations. This situation may partly explain why Italy today has one of the lowest birth-rates.

Keywords : Equality of opportunity; labor; reconciliation of work and family life; family.

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