Employment and the Family: The Reconfiguration of Work and Family Life

In this review of Employment and the Family: The Reconfiguration of Work and Family Life, the reviewer finds a focused, comparative academic study that will interest readers seeking evidence and explanation for recent changes in family employment patterns. Rosemary Crompton traces shifting attitudes to gender roles and examines how employers, governments and organisations have adjusted, or failed to adjust, to the rise in employment among mothers of young children. The book's biggest strength is its comparative approach across six countries, which gives readers a clear picture of how policy and workplace practice shape the realities of work-life articulation.

Key Features

• Comparative analysis: Detailed country-by-country comparisons help readers understand how Britain, France, Norway, Finland, the United States and Portugal differ in policy and practice.
• Gendered division of labour: The book traces the origins and background of changing gender roles, offering context for contemporary employment trends.
• Focus on mothers' employment: It documents rising employment rates among mothers of young children and explores the social and economic drivers behind that rise.
• Organisational context: Crompton examines how workplace structures and employment relations can be more or less family friendly, helping readers see where reforms may be needed.
• Policy implications: By comparing multiple national models, the book highlights practical policy levers and their likely effects on families.

Who It's For

This book is best suited for students, researchers and policy professionals in sociology, social policy and gender studies who need a rigorous, comparative study of employment and family life. It will also benefit informed readers interested in how national policy shapes everyday family experiences and employment opportunities.

Readers looking for prescriptive self-help or step-by-step workplace guides should look elsewhere; this is an analytical, evidence-focused academic text rather than a practical how-to manual. Those seeking contemporary case studies beyond the six included countries may find the scope deliberately limited.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear comparative framework that illuminates differences between national approaches to family and employment policy.
• Strong historical and sociological context for understanding the gendered organisational context of work.
• Useful analysis of recent changes in employment relations and their effects on work-life articulation.

Cons

• Limited to six countries, so readers wanting a global survey will find gaps in geographic coverage.
• The academic tone and detailed analysis may be dense for casual readers seeking quick takeaways.

Specifications

Title	Employment and the Family: The Reconfiguration of Work and Family Life
Author	Rosemary Crompton
Scope	Comparative analysis of six countries
Countries covered	Britain, France, Norway, Finland, the United States, Portugal
Main topics	Gender roles, employment relations, family-work articulation
Audience	Students, researchers, policy professionals

Our Verdict

Employment and the Family is a valuable academic resource for those who need a comparative, evidence-based account of how employment and family life have shifted in recent decades. Its focused country comparisons and attention to the gendered division of labour make it good value for students and policy analysts seeking to understand the policy levers that shape family-friendly employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book compare multiple countries?
Yes. It provides comparative analysis of Britain, France, Norway, Finland, the United States and Portugal.

Is this a practical guide for employers?
No. The book is analytical and academic in tone; it explains trends and policy impacts rather than offering step-by-step workplace implementation guidance.

Who benefits most from reading it?
Students, researchers and policy professionals in social sciences and gender studies will get the most from its evidence-focused approach.