Authors: Dina Bakst, Sherry Leiwant, and Janet C. Gornick.
Publication: Toward a 21st Century for All: Progressive Policies for New York City in 2013 and Beyond. Chapter 8. pp. 246-288
Editor: John Mollenkopf
Publisher: Center for Urban Research, CUNY
Date: 2013
Introduction:
As in the rest of the nation, dramatic changes have taken place in how families work and live in New York City over the last generation. In particular, the rise in quality and extent of women’s participation in the labor force has been a one of the most important demographic changes over the last three decades. Women are now solidly in the labor market, not just as occasional workers whose earnings are add-ons to family income. They consider themselves the equal of men in their ability to be effective workers and their incomes are essential to the well-being of their families. At the same time, the unpaid work that women have always done to provide care for children and the elderly remains as important to families and society as it was when fewer women worked outside the home. The result is a fundamental challenge: New York City and the larger society have failed to grapple with the conflicts created as women have gradually moved into the labor market but are still expected to shoulder the majority of unpaid care work. In short, we have failed to develop the kinds of policies necessary to support working families as they exist in the 21st century.
Link: Promoting Work-Family Balance (PDF)