The Employment of Women in North America

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Background

Executive Summary

I. The Female Labor Force and Female Employment in North America

The Female Labor Force in North America

Women’s participation in the labor force

Factors in the participation of women in the labor force

Female Employment in North America

Age distribution of female employment

Female employment by class of worker

Distribution of female employment by sector

Changes in the structure of female employment by sector and industry

Female occupational categories

Changes in the female occupational structure

Part-time female employment

Working hours

Employment stability

Educational levels

Earnings

Factors contributing to salary differences between men and women

III. The Employment of Women in North America and the European Union

Appendices

1. The Legal Rights of Women Workers in North America

   Employment Opportunity Equity and Salary Equity
   Maternity/Family Leave
   Unemployment Insurance
   Retirement Income and Health Benefits
   Work Risk Indemnification

2. Conceptual Aspects of the Information Used in this Study
   Sources of Information
   Conceptual Differences

3. Selected Statistics of Female Employment in North America 1984-1996

List of Tables

Table 1. Distribution of Female Labor Force by Marital Status in North America
Table 2. Female Participation Rate by Marital Status in North America
Table 3. Average Children per Woman in North America
Table 4. Main Characteristics of Female Unemployment in North America, 1996
Table 5. Labor Indicators in North America and the European Union
Table C - 1: Total Population (in thousands)
Table C - 2: Labor Force
Table C - 3: Employment
Table C - 4: Female Unemployment
Table C - 5: Earnings (national currency)

List of Graphs

Graph 1. Distribution of Female Labor Force in North America, 1996
Graph 2. Labor Force Participation Rate by Gender in North America, 1996
Graph 2A. Change in the Labor Force Participation Rate by Gender in North America, 1984-1996
Graph 3. Female Participation Rate by Age Group in North America, 1996
Graph 4. Change in Female Participation Rate by Age Group in North America
Graph 5. Employment Growth by Gender in North America, 1984-1996
Graph 6. Distribution of Female Employment by Age Group in North America, 1996
Graph 6A. Changes in Women's Employment Distribution by Age Group in North America, 1984-1996
Graph 7. Distribution of Female Employment by Class of Worker in North America, 1996
Graph 8. Distribution of Female Employment by Industrial Sector in North America, 1996
Graph 9. Distribution of Female Employment in Manufacturing Sector in North America, 1996
Graph 10. Distribution of Female Employment by Occupation in North America, 1996
Graph 10A. Change in the Distribution of Female Employment by Occupation in North America
Graph 11. Canada: Female Part-time and Full-time Employment Growth, 1984-1996
Graph 12. Mexico: Female Part-time and Full-time Employment Growth, 1991-1995
Graph 13. United States: Female Part-time and Full-time Employment Growth, 1984-1996
Graph 14. Evolution of Involuntary Part-time Employment Growth in North America, 1984-1996
Graph 15. Average Hours Worked by Gender in North America, 1984-1996
Graph 16. Female Employment Distribution per Hours of Work in North America, 1996
Graph 17. Job Tenure by Gender in North America, 1996
Graph 18. Changes in Female Job Tenure in North America
Graph 19. Female Job Tenure in North America, 1996
Graph 20. Distribution of Female Employment by Education Level in North America, 1996
Graph 21. Female to Male Earnings Ratio, 1984-1996
Graph 22. Real Average Earnings Growth of Full-time Workers by Gender in North America
Graph 23. Female Unemployment Rate in North America, 1984-1996

For a free copy of this report write to clcpubs@naalc.org.