Chapter 2 - Historical Trends in Work-Family: ]The Evolution of Earning and Caring

Abstract

This chapter outlines the key historical trends that have brought discussions about work and family to the foreground. Using various sources of statistical data, this chapter chronicles the often perceived competing spheres of earning and caring. Various demographic and social trends are described to illustrate their impact: the influence of women entering the labor force, the aging workforce, the changing nature of work, and trends in business and government policies. Recognizing the entrenchment of women in the labor force and the growing quest for work–life balance among a diversity of workers, which sets the stage for the in-depth discussions. It shows that there is no one single policy, societal or business trend, that has driven this evolution and the accompanying discussions and research. Rather, like a perfect storm, it is the commingling of these spheres, each with their own unique aspects, as they feed into, and back onto the other, that has taken the discussions about integrating work and family from its earliest inklings during World War II to the current modern age. Increased female labor force participation and increased stress and pressures, both at home and at work, have given rise to concerns about how to combine both roles of earner and caregiver. It chronicles some of the key trends that have played a large role in this field including: the impact of dual earner families in the paid labor force, the changing nature of work, and the influence and response of business and government policies.