ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some aspects of the reciprocal relationship between the family and the labour market. It concentrates on the position of women with dependent children. Voluntary provision in the form of playgroups is available for children aged three to five, although it is impossible to estimate how many places are available. By its recent decision not to accept children under three in its member playgroups, as if this age marked a dividing line below which group care was unsuitable, the pre-school playgroups association implicitly supports the administrative split between ‘care’ and ‘education’. Discrimination against women may take the form of preferring similarly qualified men, or the complementary form of preferring women for certain jobs, but for their supposed negative qualities such as being willing to tolerate boredom or accept low pay. Larger employers are unlikely to make explicit bargains with individuals or small groups.
