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The Commodification Of Lone Mothers' Labor: A Comparison Of Us And German Policies

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  • Lisa Giddings
  • Irene Dingeldey
  • Susan Ulbricht

Abstract

Drawing on Gøsta Esping-Andersen's concept of commodification of labor, as well as on its feminist critiques, this paper looks at policy effects on lone mothers in the US and in Germany. With increasing labor market participation rates among lone mothers in the US following welfare reform and in Germany following unification, the authors conclude that the changes derive from different policies and incentive structures related to the state of commodification of labor in each country. In the former East Germany, the policy regime of generous childcare benefits enabled the commodification of women's labor, while in West Germany, the established policy regime was dominated by a strong, voluntary commodification of women's labor, particularly that of lone mothers. In contrast, US policy has been characterized by its greater degree of precommodification of women's labor, which was followed, after the welfare reform of 1996, by the enforced commodification of women's labor.

Suggested Citation

  • Lisa Giddings & Irene Dingeldey & Susan Ulbricht, 2004. "The Commodification Of Lone Mothers' Labor: A Comparison Of Us And German Policies," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(2), pages 115-142.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:femeco:v:10:y:2004:i:2:p:115-142
    DOI: 10.1080/1354570042000217748
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stephen Bazen & Mary Gregory & Wiemer Salverda (ed.), 1998. "Low-Wage Employment in Europe," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 1612.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kopf, Eva & Zabel, Cordula, 2014. "Active labour market programmes for women with a partner : challenge or replication of traditional gender roles," IAB-Discussion Paper 201406, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    2. Zabel, Cordula, 2013. "Effects of participating in skill training and workfare on employment entries for lone mothers receiving means-tested benefits in Germany," IAB-Discussion Paper 201303, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    3. Zabel, Cordula, 2011. "Lone mothers' participation in labor market programs for means-tested benefit recipients in Germany," IAB-Discussion Paper 201114, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
    4. Hartmann, Bastian & Hancioglu, Mine, 2012. "What makes Single Mothers expand or reduce employment?," VfS Annual Conference 2012 (Goettingen): New Approaches and Challenges for the Labor Market of the 21st Century 62059, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    5. Mine Hancioglu & Bastian Hartmann, 2014. "What Makes Single Mothers Expand or Reduce Employment?," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 35(1), pages 27-39, March.

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