Neil Gilbert, November 19

Neil Gilbert, Professor of Social Welfare and Co-Director of the Center for Child and Youth Policy will present: "A Mother's Work: Capitalism, Feminism and the Welfare State"

In 2002 nearly one in five women in their early forties were childless inthe U.S. , which was close to double the proportion of childless women in1976. In addition to having fewer children mother's were increasinglyoutsourcing household production and the daily care of their preschoolers toother people. Why had so many women chosen this course, particularly whenthere is a fair amount of evidence that shows these outcomes do not coincidewith their ideals of family life? Analyzing the choices women are making inthe modern-day struggle to combine work and family life, A Mother's Workseeks to understand the social dynamics governing these choices, to clarifywhose interests are being served in the process, and to explore alternativesocial policies that address efforts to harmonize work and family life.