Complex Inequality and 'Working Mothers'

Clare O'Hagan

ISBN 10: 1782051244 / ISBN 13: 9781782051244

Published by Cork University Press Apr 2015, 2015

About this Item

Neuware - This book explores the ways that women combine motherhood with paid work in contemporary Ireland and the consequences for individual women, families, childminders and Irish society. This book demonstrates the difficulties women encounter when trying to satisfy working and mothering lives which are governed by quite different values. Drawing on focus groups and interviews with thirty women who combine motherhood with paid work in Ireland, this book reveals the difficulties, complexities and dilemmas women experience and reveals that there is a complex system of inequality which occurs when women combine motherhood with paid work. These inequalities occur at individual, discursive, social and structural levels and their combination makes it difficult for women to satisfy working and mothering lives. Contemporary society uses maternity to divide and conquer women, both in public and private spheres, and women's inequalities are maintained because the issue is privatised, women are silenced and ignored. This book looks at the gender system which creates this complex inequality and reveals that by privileging some women sometimes, enduring inequalities are created for all women.

Seller Inventory # 9781782051244

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Complex Inequality and 'Working Mothers'
• Publisher: Cork University Press Apr 2015
• Publication Date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1782051244
• ISBN 13: 9781782051244
• Binding: Buch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 244W x 167H x 34D millimeters 244 millimeters width by 167 millimeters height by 34 millimeters depth
• Weight: 616 grams

About this title

Synopsis

This book explores the ways that women combine motherhood with paid work in contemporary Ireland and the consequences for individual women, families, childminders and Irish society. This book demonstrates the difficulties women encounter when trying to satisfy working and mothering lives which are governed by quite different values. Drawing on focus groups and interviews with thirty women who combine motherhood with paid work in Ireland, this book reveals the difficulties, complexities and dilemmas women experience and reveals that there is a complex system of inequality which occurs when women combine motherhood with paid work. These inequalities occur at individual, discursive, social and structural levels and their combination makes it difficult for women to satisfy working and mothering lives. Contemporary society uses maternity to divide and conquer women, both in public and private spheres, and women's inequalities are maintained because the issue is privatised, women are silenced and ignored. This book looks at the gender system which creates this complex inequality and reveals that by privileging some women sometimes, enduring inequalities are created for all women.

About the Author

Clare O'Hagan is a Research Fellow appointed to the Female Empowerment in Science and Technology Academia (FESTA) project.