The article begins with a discussion of the family changes related to shifts in the composition of the labor force that have led to a concern about family benefits in the workplace. It then covers the reasons for their general absence in the U.S. An analysis follows of the unrecognized consequences of the attention given to the comparatively few instances of family benefits in corporate America. The final section of the article concerns the varying judgments of the authors of the articles in this special issue on the efficacy of existing workplace family policies for businesses and their employees and their families.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Ackelsberg, M. , & Diamond, I. (1987). Gender and political life: New directions in political science. In B. B. Hess & M. M. Ferree (Eds.), Analyzing gender: A handbook of social science research (pp. 504-526). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
2.
Aldous, J. (1982). From dual-earner to dual-career families and back again. In J. Aldous (Ed.), Two paychecks: Life in dual-earner families (pp. 11-27). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
3.
Aldous, J. (in press). Family policy in the 1980s: Controversy and consensus. Journal of Marriage and the Family.
4.
Bane, M. J. , & Jargowsky, P. A. (1988). The links between government policy and family structure: What matters and what doesn't. In A. J. Cherlin (Ed.), The changing American family and public policy (pp. 219-255). Washington, DC: Urban Institute.
5.
Beck, S. H. (1982). Adjustment to and satisfaction with retirement. Journal of Gerontology, 37, 616-624.
6.
Dowd, M. (1989, June 16). President vetoes a bill and makes threat on second, New York Times, pp. A1, A8.
7.
England, P. , & McCreary, L. (1987). Gender inequality in paid employment. In B. B. Hess & M. M. Ferree (Eds.), Analyzing gender: A handbook of social science research (pp. 286-322). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
8.
Evans, N. (1989). Letters to the editor. Harvard Business Review, 67, 182.
9.
Friedman, D. E. (1987). Work vs. family: War of the worlds. Personnel Administrator, 32, 36-38.
10.
Galinsky, E. (1986). Family life and corporate policies. In M. W. Yogman & T. B. Brazelton (Eds.), In support of families (pp. 109-146). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
11.
Hayghe, H. V. (1988). Employers and child care: What roles do they play?Monthly Labor Review, 111(September), 38-43.
12.
Hayghe, H. V. (1990). Family members in the labor force. Monthly Labor Review, 113 (March), 14-20.
13.
Holmes, S. A. (1990, June 30). Bush vetoes a bill to give workers family leave. New York Times, p. A9.
14.
Hooker, K. , & Ventis, D. G. (1984). Work ethic, daily activities, and retirement satisfaction. Journal of Gerontology, 39478-484.
15.
Kamerman, S. B. , & Kahn, A. J. (1988). Social policy and children in the United States and Europe. In J. T. Palmer, T. Smeeding, & B. B. Torrey (Eds.), The vulnerable (pp. 351-381). Washington, DC: Urban Institute Press.
16.
Kessler-Harris, A. (1987). The debate over equality in the workplace: Recognizing differences. In N. Gerstel & H. E. Gross (Eds.), Families and work (pp. 520-539). Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
17.
Lawson, C. (1990, March 15). Some hope for the working parent. New York Times, p. B7.
18.
Levitan, S. A. , & Gallo, F. (1990). Work and family: The impact of legislation. Monthly Labor Review, 113(March), 34-40.
19.
Meisenheimer, J. R. (1989). Employer provisions for parental leave. Monthly Labor Review, 112(October), 20-24.
20.
Schwartz, F. N. (1989). Management women and the new facts of life. Harvard Business Review, 67, 65-76.
21.
Shank, S. (1988). Women and the labor market: The link grows stronger. Monthly Labor Review, 111(March), 3-8.
22.
Skrzycki, C. (1990, January 22-28). Family planning: Easing the clash of professional and personal concerns. Washington Post National Weekly Edition, p. 22.
23.
Teltsch, K. (1990, March 10). For younger and older, workplace day care. New York Times, pp. 1,8.
24.
U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (1989). Handbook of labor statistics (Bulletin 2340). Washington: U. S. Government Printing Office.
25.
Wiatrowski, W. J. (1990). Family-related benefits in the workplace. Monthly Labor Review, 113(March), 28-34.
