ABSTRACT
Between March 1971 and March 1975 the number of women working or looking for work in the US is increased by about 4.8 million. The comment has been made that such rapid growth “has taken most analysts and policymakers by surprise”. The actual increase in labor force participation of women was 2.75 million, of which 800,000 or 29% could be accounted for by more young women entering the work force than in previous years. Most of the increase occurred among women under 35, particularly married women with children under 6 years of age. The Women’s Bureau together with Children’s Bureau of the Department of Labor had been the voice of conscience during the first quarter of the century. Maternal and infant mortality rates were excessive and extensive epidemiologic studies were published by both bureaus. When World War II increased the number of women in the work force the Women’s Bureau continued to publish pamphlets to inform women of safety precautions, etc.
