Trayectorias laborales de las mujeres españolas. Discontinuidad, precariedad y desigualdad de género

Abstract

Spanish women’s participation in the labour market has increased by almost 20% in the last 30 years. A more detailed data analysis shows differentiated traits between male and female participation, which indicates fewer females present, greater temporal and sectorial discontinuity, and more precarious job posts and, consequently, a stronger possibility of occupying less responsible and worse paid jobs. This generates gender inequality in the labor market. The hypothesis that we pose suggests that the persistence of the patriarchy at both the micro- (family) and macro- (labour market and State) levels slows down the possibility of accomplishing equality between men and women. The methodology employed was quantitative and qualitative: with the former, official statistical sources were consulted. In the latter, the discourses of 30 semi-structured interviews held with working mothers were analysed. The results confirmed a more precarious situation for women in the labor market due to their greater discontinuity, temporality, sub-occupation, and part-time jobs predominated among women. Another finding was that the traditional distribution of gender roles persisted in couples, shown in the discourses provided by interviews. Finally, it was found that conciliation arrangements are basically used by females. The conclusions indicate that the patriarchy persists in today’s society despite changes made in gender relations, in legislation and in society. This means that an unequal situation for men and women persists in both family life and the labor market.