Gendered Lives deserves to find its way onto the bookshelf of students and scholars seeking to better understand the big picture of gender dynamics at home and at work, particularly as it plays out in the British context. Graduate students will likely most appreciate the broad overview the book provides, and I can see it provoking lively debate in advanced classes. Scholars with more focused interests will also no doubt find considerable value in particular chapters, while also being prompted to new insights and connections by the diversity of disciplinary contributions.'- S. Fuller, University of British Columbia, Canada 'This state-of-the art collection brings together the latest research of eminent experts in the field. It combines a wide sweep with focused analysis of gender dynamics at home and at work, and the interaction between them. A longitudinal and life course perspective underpins the authors' assessment of the current state of gender inequality, and helps explain why some domains are more resistant to change than others. This timely and innovative volume will be an excellent resource for academics and policy-makers alike.' - Miriam Glucksmann, University of Essex, UK This meticulous book examines how gender inequalities in contemporary societies are changing and how further changes towards greater gender equality might be achieved. The focus of the book is on inequalities in production and reproductive activities, as played out over time and in specific contexts. It examines the different forms that gendered lives take in the household and the workplace, and explores how gender equalities may be promoted in a changing world. Gendered Lives offers many novel and sometimes unexpected findings that contribute to new understandings of not only the causes of gender inequalities but also the ongoing implications for economic well-being and societal integration. This topical and interdisciplinary study by leading researchers in the field will appeal to course leaders, researchers and postgraduate students in sociology, economics, public policy, demography and human geography. Social scientists interested in gender equality, labor market behavior and public policy will also find much to interest them in this fascinating book. Contributors: A. Batnitzky, F. Bennett, E. Bukodi, J. De Henau, S. Deakin, S. Dex, S. Dyer, J. Gershuny, S. Himmelweit, J. Hobcraft, H. Joshi, M.Y. Kan, J. Lewis, L. McDowell, C. McLaughlin, A.C. Plagnol, J. Scott, W. Sigle-Rushton, S. Sung

Many employed men and women now hold self-employed, part-time or temporary jobs. Such jobs have been increasing since the 1970s. This book examines the implications for employers, individuals and households of this development. The lack of fringe benefits, job security and employment rights for these flexible jobs are described as well as the effects on the mental health of individuals. The view that flexible jobs are necessary for an efficient economy is questioned. Britain is relatively unique in Europe in promoting low-quality flexible jobs which fail to use the skills of its workforce.

This book documents the first five years of life of the children of the influential Millennium Cohort Study, which is tracking almost 19,000 babies born in 2000 and 2001 in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This book is the second in a series of books which will report on the findings from the data and follows on from "Children of the 21st Century: From Birth to Nine Months" (The Policy Press, 2005). It takes an extended look at the children's lives and development as they grow and begin formal education, and the implications for family policy, and service planning in health and social services. The chapters in this book are written by experts across a wide range of social science and health fields and form a unique look at the early lives of children that cuts across disciplinary boundaries. It is essential reading for academics, students and researchers in these fields. It will also be of interest to policy makers and practitioners with an interest in children's early years, family life, child development, child poverty, childcare and education and health care.

This book documents the early lives of almost 19,000 children born in the UK at the start of the 21st century, and their families. It is the first time that analysis of data from the hugely important Millennium Cohort Study, a longitudinal study following the progress of the children and their families, has been drawn together in a single volume. The unrivalled data is examined here to address important policy and scientific issues. The book is also the first in a series of publications that will report on the children's lives at different stages of their development. The fascinating range of findings presented here is strengthened by comparison with data on earlier generations. This has enabled the authors to assess the impact of a wide range of policies on the life courses of a new generation, including policies on child health, parenting, childcare and social exclusion. Babies of the new millennium (title tbc) is the product of an exciting collaboration from experts across a wide range of health and social science fields. The result is a unique and authoritative analysis of family life and early childhood in the UK that cuts across old disciplinary boundaries. It is essential reading for academics, students and researchers in the health and social sciences. It will also be a useful resource for policy makers and practitioners who are interested in childhood, child development, child poverty, child health, childcare and family policy.

This book documents the first five years of life of the children of the influential Millennium Cohort Study, which is tracking almost 19,000 babies born in 2000 and 2001 in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This book is the second in a series of books which will report on the findings from the data and follows on from Children of the 21st century: From birth to nine months (The Policy Press, 2005). It takes an extended look at the children's lives and development as they grow and begin formal education, and the implications for family policy, and service planning in health and social services. The chapters in this book are written by experts across a wide range of social science and health fields and form a unique look at the early lives of children that cuts across disciplinary boundaries. It is essential reading for academics, students and researchers in these fields. It will also be of relevance to policy makers and practitioners with an interest in children's early years, family life, child development, child poverty, childcare and education and health care.

There is need for a more detailed understanding of employers' motivations for offering flexible working and the outcomes of different policies and practices for both employers and employees. This report draws on data from a large-scale national survey of workplace employee relations (WERS) to fill these gaps in our knowledge and understanding. It is the first time these issues have been explored through analysis of such a large and representative sample of companies and employees.

How is women's employment shaped by family and domestic responsibilities? This book, written by leading experts in the field, examines twenty-five years of change in women's employment and addresses the challenges facing women today. The authors offer an innovative analysis of how global changes including new migration processes, educational expansion, transnational labour markets, technological advances and the global economy affect women's labour market experiences. They tackle issues relevant for future change, including gender inequalities and ethnic diversities, and confront contentious questions such as what is meant by work-life balance. The book provides new empirical research that both advances our understanding of the challenges posed by women's employment in our changing society and draws out the policy lessons that could improve economic and social wellbeing. Providing dynamic analysis of employment-family inter relationships, Women and Employment will be of great relevance to social scientists and academics interested in employment and family as well as policymakers concerned with changing women's employment.

Many employed men and women now hold self-employed, part-time or temporary jobs. Such jobs have been increasing since the 1970s. This book examines the implications for employers, individuals and households of this development. The lack of fringe benefits, job security and employment rights for these flexible jobs are described as well as the effects on the mental health of individuals. The view that flexible jobs are necessary for an efficient economy is questioned. Britain is relatively unique in Europe in promoting low-quality flexible jobs which fail to use the skills of its workforce.

How is women's employment shaped by family and domestic responsibilities? This book, written by leading experts in the field, examines twenty-five years of change in women's employment and addresses the challenges facing women today. The authors offer an innovative analysis of how global changes including new migration processes, educational expansion, transnational labour markets, technological advances and the global economy affect women's labour market experiences. They tackle issues relevant for future change, including gender inequalities and ethnic diversities, and confront contentious questions such as what is meant by work-life balance. The book provides new empirical research that both advances our understanding of the challenges posed by women's employment in our changing society and draws out the policy lessons that could improve economic and social wellbeing. Providing dynamic analysis of employment-family inter relationships, Women and Employment will be of great relevance to social scientists and academics interested in employment and family as well as policymakers concerned with changing women's employment.