ABSTRACT
Under the influence of gendered norms, the experiences of men and women may differ at key stages of the life course with respective implications for wellbeing. Understanding these gendered implications is essential for more effective policy design. This chapter provides an overview of the literature relating to the gendered experiences of wellbeing across three key stages of the life course. First, we address questions on how gender asymmetry in employment contributes to the reproduction of gender inequalities in wellbeing. Second, given that parenthood is, for many, one of the facets of wellbeing but also associated with significant time, financial, and emotional demands, we address the associated gendered implications for wellbeing. Third, acknowledging that retirement outcomes are likely to be predisposed by wealth accumulation and previous labour participation which are often influenced by a lifetime of negotiations, we analyse the gendered experiences of wellbeing associated with retirement. Based on the empirical evidence of continued influence of gendered norms on wellbeing outcomes, we discuss the recommendations for the implementation of policies that support a shift in such norms.
