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Gender differences in the patterns and consequences of occupational-career interruptions: a comparative analysis of the United States, Sweden, and Poland

Lovell, Rachel E

Abstract Details

2007, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Sociology.
Occupational careers are usually modeled as continuous. However, most careers are not incessant, but, in fact, are characterized by periods of disruptions. Thus, contrary to the research practice, interruptions should be integrated into models of status attainment. To fulfill such a goal, this dissertation addresses the following research question: are there cross-national gender differences in the patterns and consequences of occupational-career interruptions? Occupational-career interruptions include unemployment, illness/disability, parental leave, household time, care for other, schooling, retirement, and military service. To account for some cross-national differences pertaining to institutional arrangements, I analyze panel survey data for the U.S. (a capitalist state), Sweden (a welfare state) and Poland (a post-communist country, adjusting to democratic capitalism). Three panel surveys are used for the analyses—for the NSLY-79 (U.S.), HUS (Sweden), and POLPAN (Poland). Statistical techniques applied to these data range from descriptive statistics to change models. The results provide evidence that there is a gendered nature to most occupational-career interruptions. Interruptions can be gender-neutral (schooling, retirement, unemployment, and illness), female-specific (parental leave, household time, and caring for others), or male-specific (military service). Women and men do experience variation in the consequences of the interruptions, depending on the type of interruption and the institutional context. There appears to be the greatest amount of gender equality in the wage consequences for unemployment and illness in Sweden, the least amount of gender equality in Poland, and in the United States, there is less gender equality than in Sweden but more than in Poland. Theoretical and policy implications conclude the dissertation.
Kamimierz Slomczynski (Advisor)
182 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lovell, R. E. (2007). Gender differences in the patterns and consequences of occupational-career interruptions: a comparative analysis of the United States, Sweden, and Poland [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1187024582

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lovell, Rachel. Gender differences in the patterns and consequences of occupational-career interruptions: a comparative analysis of the United States, Sweden, and Poland. 2007. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1187024582.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lovell, Rachel. "Gender differences in the patterns and consequences of occupational-career interruptions: a comparative analysis of the United States, Sweden, and Poland." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1187024582

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)