Containing interviews with more than 100 middle-class working parents in the Boston area, Bookman vividly illustrates the inherent conflicts faced by today's two-working-parent families and the often unfortunate consequences for the community. In an important departure from the ongoing debate, she offers a new paradigm for the relationship between paid and unpaid work that could invigorate both family life and the quality of civil society.

According to popular conception, working-class women in the United States are part of the "silent majority." But during the 1970s and early 1980s these women have been far from silent. Speaking out both individually and collectively, they have staked new political ground for themselves and their families. Drawing on case studies of community and workplace organizing, these original essays redefine our notions of "the political" and address a wide range of topics, including the creation and reform of unions, domestic service, street vending, working-class education, health care, and social services. The contributors have focused on working-class women from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds employed in a wide variety of jobs. "Women and the Politics of Empowerment" documents the story of women learning about the sources of their powerlessness and mobilizing to increase their power. Ann Bookman is Assistant Director of the Mary Ingranham bunting Institute at Radcliffe College. Sandra Morgan is Assistant Professor of Women's Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Contents:
Acknowledgements Introduction: The Engine That Could Part 1: Work, Family and Community in the New Economy 1. New Terrain for Work and Family: Making the Community Connection 2. How Friendly Is the Family-Friendly Workplace? A Look at the Biotech Industry 3. All In the Family: It's not a Private Affair 4. Community As A Starting Point: Place and Participation Part 2: From Family Connections to Community Involvement 5. More Than Roads and Bridges 6. Childcare and Other Building Blocks of Civil Society 7. The PTA Is Not The Problem 8. Not By Bread Alone 9. The Trials of a Full-time Working Mom: or How I Became a Part-time Worker and a Part-time Community Activist Part 3: Investing in Community: Everybody's Business 10. From Backyards to Corporate Boardrooms and Beyond: All Stakeholders Welcome 11. The Call of Community: Vocation and Avocation Appendix One: Methodology Appendix Two: The Family Friendly Community Index Index