Women, Gender, and Work: The Portuguese Case in the Context of the European Union

Abstract

In this article we discuss changes in the relationships among gender, paid work, and unpaid work in Portugal in the context of the European Union. Based on a research program developed since 1997 on the relationship between family and work, and exploring data from several national and international surveys, such as the European Social Survey, the analyses focus on several topics: changes in demographic indicators; the substantial growth of women's participation, especially mothers, in the labor market; paid work, unpaid work, the welfare state, and existing policies; care solutions and arrangements and social networks; the relationship between women's activity rates and fertility rates, women's attachment to work, and finally, values and attitudes about work and family life. The main goal was to understand and explain specific features of the Portuguese case in a European comparative perspective.

Gender disparities in health and healthcare: results from the Portuguese National Health Interview Survey

“…The "social role" hypothesis postulates that the experience of a given social position (work load, stress, and self-esteem) differs between men and women, with different consequences for health 14 . In Portugal, despite the high rate of women's full-time employment, gender inequality persists in the distribution of domestic tasks, women suffer from lower recognition at work (through lower pay and less access to leadership positions), and single mothers receive little formal support 28 . According to the "differential vulnerability hypothesis", women and men react differently to structural factors, and women are more affected by social determinants, life events, chronic stressors, and psychological resources 3 .…”

Les écarts salariaux dans une profession à prédominance féminine: le travail domestique informel et flexible au Portugal

“…Les structures de l'emploi féminin et l'importance de la famille dans les fonctionnements sociaux font du Portugal un objet d'étude intéressant pour ce qui est du travail domestique effectué par les femmes, ressortissantes nationales ou immigrées, notamment en provenance des anciennes colonies lusophones et d'autres pays européens (Abrantes, 2012). Les travailleurs domestiques aident les femmes qui ont un emploi à concilier travail et vie de famille, mais ils contribuent aussi à entretenir la division du travail au sein des familles (Crompton, 2006), et ce à moindre coût (Torres, 2008). Ils offrent aussi une solution pour ce qui est des soins à domicile aux personnes âgées et handicapées.…”

O meu, o teu, o nosso dinheiro: Contributos para o estudo da gestão das finanças conjugais em Portugal

“…No que diz respeito a Portugal, dispomos hoje de uma abundante literatura sociológica sobre os modos como as representações sociais de género se manifestam na família e determinam a organização da vida familiar (Aboim, 2010;Perista, 2002;Portugal, 2006Portugal, , 2013Torres, 2001Torres, , 2008Torres, Guerreiro e Lobo, 2007;Torres et al, 2001;Torres et al, 2004;Wall, 2007;Wall e Amâncio, 2007;Wall e Guerreiro, 2005). No seu conjunto, estes estudos revelam um quadro de evoluções significativas, não lineares e complexamente articuladas, nas relações sociais de género.…”