ABSTRACT
The introduction is a theoretical chapter that outlines the frameworks within which the chapters are situated. By placing young professionals in the context of the transformations ongoing in the professional world, this chapter presents the arguments for studying gendering processes among young professionals and between different age cohorts/generations of professionals. It also summarises some major debates around professional work, gender, and professions as well as conceptualisations of age, cohort, and generation. It discusses how combining intersectionality theory and a life course approach facilitates the exploration of gender, class and race/ethnicity inequalities across generations and age cohorts. The chapter also highlights and introduces several common themes that emerge between chapters: (a) challenges for young professionals entering and building professional careers, (b) work–family balance challenges within and across generations, and (c) the shifting significance of gender to professional work. The chapter ends with a summary of the different sections and chapters contained herein.
