Career and Family: Women's Century-Long Journey toward Equity

The 2023 Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to Claudia Goldin, a renowned economic historian, for her book "Career and Family," which traces the journey of women to close the gender wage gap and sheds new light on the continued struggle to achieve equity between couples at home. Goldin's book explores how generations of women have responded to the problem of balancing career and family as the twentieth century experienced a sea change in gender equality, revealing why true equity for dual career couples remains frustratingly out of reach. She demonstrates how many professions are "greedy," paying disproportionately more for long hours and weekend work, and how this perpetuates disparities between women and men. Goldin also shows how the era of COVID-19 has severely hindered womens advancement, yet how the growth of remote and flexible work may be the pandemics silver lining. She argues that antidiscrimination laws and unbiased managers are not enough and that fundamental changes to the way we work and value caregiving are necessary to achieve gender equality and couple equity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Economics, a renowned economic historian delves into the remarkable journey of women in closing the gender wage gap and sheds valuable insights into the ongoing struggle for equitable relationships within couples. A century ago, the choice for a woman with a college degree was stark: pursue a career or prioritize family. However, today, there is a significant increase in female college graduates, and more women aspire to balance career and family. Despite these advancements, challenges persist both at work and at home. This captivating book traces the responses of generations of women as they navigated the complex terrain of balancing career and family throughout the twentieth century, unveiling the reasons why true equity for dual-career couples remains elusive.

Drawing on her extensive research spanning decades, Claudia Goldin offers a fresh and comprehensive examination of the diverse experiences of college-educated women from the 1900s to the present. Through in-depth analysis, she explores the aspirations and barriers these women encountered in their careers, jobs, marriages, and children. Goldin highlights the prevalence of "greedy" professions that reward long hours and weekend work, perpetuating disparities between women and men. Moreover, she sheds light on how the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly hindered women's advancement, while the growth of remote and flexible work offers a potential silver lining.

While antidiscrimination laws and unbiased managers are valuable, they alone are not sufficient in achieving gender equality and couple equity. Goldin's book, Career and Family, underscores the need for fundamental changes in the way we work and value caregiving. It challenges us to reevaluate our societal norms and expectations, advocating for policies that support work-life balance and equal opportunities for all. By recognizing the contributions of women in the workforce and valuing caregiving as an essential aspect of human development, we can strive toward a more inclusive and equitable society.

In conclusion, the 2023 Nobel Prize in Economics recipient's book provides a profound exploration of the challenges and opportunities faced by women in balancing career and family. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Goldin sheds light on the ongoing struggle for gender equality and couple equity. By advocating for fundamental changes in our work and societal attitudes, we can work towards a future where all individuals, regardless of gender, have the opportunity to thrive in both their professional and personal lives.

Weight: 664g
Dimension: 165 x 240 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691201788