ABSTRACT
In this chapter I will discuss gendered division of work in a regional context. I will use results from a research project ‘Gender and Work’ conducted at the National Institute for Working Life in Sweden during 2000-2004. It was a multidisciplinary project consisting of many different studies, performed in three municipalities in the region of Östergötland in Sweden (Gonäs, 2005). By multilevel approach I mean more than the common sense understanding of studying gender divisions on different analytical levels. I try to analyze gendered structures and processes on societal and organizational levels and the outcomes for single individuals. By doing so I will illustrate the differentiated pattern, where we on the one hand can see openings for a more integrated and egalitarian society and on the other hand the mechanisms of re-segregation and what that can mean for the single individual, female or male. The chapter starts with a discussion of labour market trends and continues with discussing the opening question if we are moving towards an egalitarian labour market. This is done with the help of a scenario presented in the mid-1970s. One of the conditions put down for that scenario is very relevant for our discussion, namely an equal division of paid and unpaid work between women and men. After that I take up some international studies to illustrate common and different developments in gender divisions between countries. To illustrate processes on labour market and organizational levels I use our studies from the Östergötland region and an analysis of individual labour market histories.
