Changing Family Structure and the Position of Women A Review of the Trends

Abstract During the last decade, slowly gathering trends have crystallized into new patterns of household composition and female labor force participation. Alongside traditional families, a variety of alternative household forms has emerged. Women's position in the paid labor force has also increased significantly. These developments are interrelated, have long-term roots, and promise to continue into the future. Most important, they create challenges for social policy, which has frequently assumed the norm of full-time motherhood. To alleviate resulting problems, planners should recognize the growth of alternative household forms and formulate policies to reduce the root problem of sexual inequality at work and in the home.