Kobiety na tynku pracy - bariery płci

Abstract

Economic and social policies in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe were different from those in Western Europe. The transformation period brought essential changes in labour market to the countries of the former socialist bloc. New economic demands have introduced workplace closures and unemployment. In particular, in Poland, it is clear that women have suffered the most from the loss of employment. Does this mean that there is a return, or desire to return, to the traditional male breadwinner model of the family? Do high rates o f unemployment have an influence on attitudes towards women’s employment? Paid employment is important for women for various reasons. It is a source of their economic independence, opportunity for social and personal development and in a household context it influences their power, position and role. Is paid employment for women only a result of economic pressures? What kind of motives - material or nonmaterial - are involved in women’s decisions and desires about employment, especially women with young children? To what extent do they have choice? To what extent and in what ways is their choice constrained by structural factors in the labour market and society? During the communist era women had a guaranteed right to employment and they generally worked full time. At present, women have many more problems with getting and keeping jobs than men. Women are less attractive as workers. What forms of discrimination do mothers of young children experience in Poland’s labour market?