African American Women and Work: A Socio-Historical Perspective

In: Journal of family history: studies in family, kinship and demography, Band 18, Heft 1, S. 53-63

Abstract

The development of work roles among African American women is discussed using a self-regenerating loop characteristic of historicist theory. The necessity of a multicultural view of women and work is essential in understanding African American women and their families. The use of past circumstances and consequences results in a more comprehensive model for African American married women in the incorporation of the interaction between work and family. Work outside the home as a significant component in the lives of African American women commands careful attention to theories and historical discussions. Different experiences by race in paid employment outside the home have implications for understanding current issues affecting all employed women.