The life course of women has undergone sagnificant transformations during the past two centuries. This article uses a social-historical perspective to
examine how social, economic, and demographic changes have interacted
with lifesytle options of American women. These factors include the shift
from the Victorian separation of spheres to dual employment patterns,
increased entrance of women into new fields of employment, expansion of
educational careers, significant alterations in marriage and divorce pat terns, prolongation of the life course, and a great imbalance in the propor
tion of males and females in the later years. By examining the lives of
elderly women from the long view of history, an awareness of variations in
life patterns and choices is fostered.
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