ABSTRACT

Women's lives have changed dramatically over the course of the twentieth century: reduced fertility and the removal of formal barriers to their participation in education, work and public life are just some examples. At the same time, women are under-represented in many areas, are paid significantly less than men, continue to experience domestic violence and to bear the larger part of the burden in the domestic division of labour. Women in 2000 may have many more choices and opportunities than they had a hundred years ago, but genuine equality between men and women remains elusive. This unique, illustrated history discusses a wide range of topics organised into four parts: the life course - the experience of girlhood, marriage and the ageing process;  the nature of women's work, both paid and unpaid; consumption, culture and transgression; and citizenship and the state.   

chapter 1|15 pages

Introduction

part One|83 pages

The Life Course

chapter 3|16 pages

Girlhood and Growing up

chapter 4|18 pages

Sexuality

chapter 5|17 pages

Marriage

chapter 6|16 pages

Health and Reproduction

chapter 7|14 pages

Ageing – Older Women

part Two|63 pages

Work – Paid and Unpaid

chapter 8|15 pages

Education

chapter 9|15 pages

Family, Caring and Unpaid Work

chapter 10|16 pages

Housewifery

chapter 11|15 pages

Paid Work

part Three|63 pages

Culture, Consumption and Transgression

chapter 13|16 pages

Crime

chapter 14|15 pages

Prostitution

chapter 15|15 pages

Leisure and Popular Culture