Immigrant Women and Work in New York City, Then and Now

Abstract

As part of the author's larger comparative project on immigrants in New York City during two major waves -- 1880-1910 & 1960-1990 -- the situation of immigrant women wage earners in each period is analyzed, concentrating on married wives & mothers. In the earlier period, focus is on East European Jews & Italians, groups that comprised the majority of new arrivals to the city, while in the later period, women from the wide variety of ethnic groups -- Asian, Latin American, European, & West Indian -- that make up the new immigrant populations are considered. Women's roles in community economic life are compared, showing that most Jewish & Italian women in the early part of the century earned money through taking work into the home, eg, sewing. In the late 20th century, women are much more likely to work outside the home, but continue to assume primary responsibilities for child care & domestic tasks. Though labor force participation has had an empowering effect on immigrant women, gender inequalities persist; this is attributed in large part to the persistence of patriarchal codes & practices, both those carried from their home cultures & those characteristic of US society. 60 References. K. Hyatt Stewart