ABSTRACT
As in most other countries, female labour force participation in Germany has grown significantly in the last forty years. This increase from 47 per cent in 1971 to 71 per cent in 2011 (Bundesagentur für Arbeit 2012) can be considered as one major reason for the significant restructuring of the German labour market during this period. Two characteristic features contribute towards upholding Germany's distinctive labour market segmentation by gender: first, the specific connection between skills formation and labour market resulting from the German dual system of vocational education and training; and second, the prevalence of the male breadwinner model that makes it likely for women to remain the secondary wage earner (BMFSFJ 2011). These two factors, in combination with conservative family policies, perpetuate female labour market discrimination in Germany despite many favourable developments during recent decades that have allowed women to play a prominent role in today's labour market.
