Working Women Abroad — West Germany

Abstract

Women workers in industrialised countries essentially face the same challenges: to achieve equal opportunities in the labour market in terms of quantity, type and level of occupation and remuneration; to develop a societal structure supportive of the reconciliation of family and work responsibilities for both men and women. Countries deal with these changes in different ways. Compared with the USA, the participation of women in the labour market in the Federal Republic shows that a great deal has been achieved in some areas but not in others. The quantitative and qualitative changes in the employment of women in the FRG since 1945 are summarised and background factors (education, legislation, political activities) that have influenced developments in the past. Based on these historical aspects and the most recent developments in Germany and abroad the future outlook is discussed.