Work-Family Orientation and Female Labour Market Participation

Abstract

The present article studies the association between work-family orientation and female labour market participation, comparing the situation in nine European countries. The results indicate a considerable diversity in both women’s practiced and preferred labour market statuses related to the work-family orientation. Differences are manifested in all countries included in the analysis, regardless of the type of welfare regime, existing patterns of female workforce participation, and diversity in the shares of women with different work-family attitudes. The results of logistic models show the persistence of the effects of the work-family orientation after adjustments have been made for control variables. They lend support to the hypothesis that the work-family orientation does not simply reflect socio-economic characteristics or a life-cycle stage. Instead, it seems to be a relatively independent dimension, with discernible repercussions on the labour market as well as with regard to fertility behaviour. The recognition of diverse preferences for the combination of family and work could lead to policies that account better for the needs of various sub-groups of the population, and would contribute to more efficient reconciliation between work and family.