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The impact of the crisis and austerity on low educated working women: The cases of Spain and Portugal

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  • Isabel Távora
  • Paula Rodríguez‐Modroño

Abstract

This article investigates the impact of the recent economic crisis and associated austerity agenda on working low educated women in Portugal and Spain. It draws firstly on a comparative analysis of Eurostat Labour Force Survey data, recent reform to the labour market and care policy; secondly, on qualitative research exploring changes in low educated women's employment, family arrangements and values. The findings reveal that in both countries low educated women maintained their labour market attachment but faced increased risks of labour market exclusion, precarity and low pay. However, the weight of women's household income contributions increased in the context of male unemployment and earnings insecurity, which reinforced women's work attachment. Moreover, employment appeared critical to women's identity and associated with egalitarian values. Despite greater protection of equality policies and welfare support for dual‐earner families in Portugal, the evidence suggests a negative impact of austerity on work–family reconciliation opportunities for low educated women in both countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabel Távora & Paula Rodríguez‐Modroño, 2018. "The impact of the crisis and austerity on low educated working women: The cases of Spain and Portugal," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(6), pages 621-636, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:25:y:2018:i:6:p:621-636
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12238
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jelle Visser, 2013. "Wage Bargaining Institutions – from crisis to crisis," European Economy - Economic Papers 2008 - 2015 488, Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN), European Commission.
    3. Jennifer Hook, 2015. "Incorporating ‘Class’ into Work-Family Arrangements: Insights from and for Three Worlds," LIS Working papers 639, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    4. Jill Rubery, 2015. "Austerity, the Public Sector and the Threat to Gender Equality - Geary Lecture 2014," The Economic and Social Review, Economic and Social Studies, vol. 46(1), pages 1-27.
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