Structural determinants of female labor force participation in developed nations 1955-75

This paper tests structural explanations of female labor force participation that focus on (1) economic growth and demand for female workers; (2) family roles and fertility; (3) structure of the state; (4) class inequality; and (5) population competition. In contrast to previous research this paper examines both cross-national and longitudinal data for a sample of 16 developed nations over five time points from 1955 to 1975. Although the results show some support for most of the explanations the effects of the population sex ratio--a variable ignored by most other studies--are strongest. (EXCERPT)