Proportion Of Married Women Working Rises

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27824, 24 November 1955, Page 11

Proportion Of Married Women Working Rises

Since the end of World War II women have played a far larger part in meeting the labour needs of industry than before the war. During this period the pattern of female employment has also changed quite considerably. In particular, there has been a marked growth in the proportion of married women working. An article, “Women at work—a survey of changes since 1945,’’ in the latest issue of the quarterly Labour and Employment Gazette, published by the Department of Labour and Employment, discusses reasons for the changes, and asks: “What does the future hold for the supply of adequate numbers of women workers to meet industry’s demands.’’ According to the article, between 1945 and 1951 the proportion of the total female population at work fell from 19.2 per cent, to 17.8 per cent. Some of this decline can be accounted for by the withdrawal from industry of women who had postponed retirement during the war years. A further reason for the decline may be found in the relative rise in the number of young children.

The proportion of girls aged 15-20 in the population who are at work is more than 3 per cent, higher than it was in 1945. The proportion of girls aged 15 who are working has risen from 24.8 per cent, in 1945 to 28.4 per cent, in I£sl, and for girls aged 16 to 20 the proportion has risen from 69.9 per cent, to 73 per cent. A particularly significant change has been.the fall in the age in which the greatest proportion oi girls are at work. In 1945, 20 was the age at which the greatest proportion of women were working, but by 1951 this had fallen to below 19. The change could be accounted for largely by the intensified bidding by employers for female labour between 1945 and 1951, and the greatly increased opportunities for girls to establish themselves in satisfying and well-paid positions at an earlier age. Although the proportion of girls between 15 and 20 increased, the population groups between these ages contracted, with the result that there was no increase in the actual numbers of adolescent girls in employment. “However, the future will bring increases in the number of girls reaching working age, and as it is likely that proportions of these population groups at work will be maintained, an expansion of the female adolescent labour force can be expected,’’ says the article. The proportion of the female population aged 21-44 at work fell from 29.2 per cent, in 1945 to 26.1 per cent, in 1951. Among the factors which probably combined to produce this decline would be the withdrawal from industry during the immediate postwar period of many women, particularly married women, who worked during the war as a war-time effort only.

Second, the considerable increase in marriages in 1946 and 1947, which included many marriages postponed during the war years, would cause the withdrawal of women from the labour force. Linked with this there is the increase in the number of young children.

On the other hand, among the older members of this group, particularly those aged 35-44, the tendency has been for more women to seek employment. A trend is evident for more married women to re-enter industry when they cease to have the responsibilities of caring for young children. The trend for increasing participation by women in the labour force is even more pronounced from 45 upwards. In 1945 the proportion of women aged 45-64 at work was 13.2 per cent., but by 1951 it had increased to 17 per cent. Over 65, the proportion of women at work increased 2.8 per cent, to 3.3 per cent. The proportion of married women in the labour force has increased rapidly. By 1951 nearly one out of every four working women was mar-

ried compared with one in every six in 1945. The reason for the increasing employment of married women in the older age groups is not easy to determine. Among the influences may be:— (1) The shortage of labour has led to intensified bidding for labour by employers, accompanied by advertising and other inducements to accept or remain in employment. (2) Positions of satisfying status and prospects are available in great number. (3) Occupational opportunities for women have become wider. Women are accepted in a greater range of work. (4) Rising prices and wage levels have induced women to seek work or tc remain at work. (5) There has been a gradual social change in the status of work for women. The contribution made to industry by women during the war years showed that women were capable of handling many jobs previously reserved for men. “There still exists a keen demand for female labour throughout industry. Returns published in April, 1955, showed there were 8500 unfilled vacancies for women.’’ says the article. “The increase in the number of girls reaching working age will not be great for some years yet. Recruitment of additional female workers will therefore have to be made from two main sources—through immigration: and through increased proportions of women in the middle and older ages entering the labour market or continuing longer in employment,” the article concludes.