The Search for Equality

Abstract

The European Union integration process has stimulated a huge wave of cross-national comparative research and writing in Europe—particularly on women's position in society and the labor market, work-life balance, and the search for “equality.” These three books illustrate the wide range of this new work: from narrowly theoretical empirical research to openly polemical discussion of how to change the world. Two books extend their comparisons to North America, China, and New Zealand. All are concerned with the pay gap between men and women, its causes, and mechanisms to deal with it. To varying degrees, all three books consider the social, economic, institutional, and legislative environment, and its impact on women's lives.