ABSTRACT
Chapters 1 and 2 examined developments in macroeconomic conditions, government policy and organisational change within firms. These features of the economy structure the quantity and type of jobs available, and the conditions under which men and women supply their labour. The focus in this chapter is at the micro-level; namely upon women as social actors within this institutional context. The analysis reveals some important elements of convergence in women’s labour supply patterns across countries, including a universal closing of the gender gap in activity rates and average education levels. At the same time there are signs of persistent divergence, for example in patterns of full-time and part-time employment for mothers in different societies. A second, related theme is divergence between women with high qualifications and relatively good labour market opportunities, and the experience of women with less educational and occupational capital.
