Women’s labour market participation in Northern Ireland: A re‐examination of the “traditionalism” argument
Abstract
The accepted wisdom is that Northern Ireland is a traditional society within which women’s primary role is defined as homemaker and mother. Examines data on the labour market participation of women in Northern Ireland, drawing comparisons with the UK, the Republic of Ireland and the European Union. Examines four hypotheses as possible explanations for mothers continuing in paid employment. Concludes that, despite living in a society seemingly more traditional than that in many other European Union countries, mothers of young children in Northern Ireland may be more likely to be in employment because they can call on a network of family support to provide informal child care.
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Citation
Ackah, C. and Heaton, N. (1996), "Women’s labour market participation in Northern Ireland: A re‐examination of the “traditionalism” argument", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 23 No. 12, pp. 58-74. https://doi.org/10.1108/03068299610149273
Publisher
:MCB UP Ltd
Copyright © 1996, MCB UP Limited