Married women working

In 1961 more than one-half of all the women in paid employment in the United Kingdom were married. The proportion had been rising steadily for over a decade. It is now higher than the figure reached during the peak years of employment during the Second World War; the highest, indeed, in Britain's industrial history, and probably the highest in the Western world.

Changes in the age of marriage as well as the trend towards more marriage have both been contributory factors. The re-entry into paid employment of older married women represents another and perhaps the most important quantitative element. The married worker has, in consequence, replaced the unmarried worker as the typical employee. From the viewpoint of the employer, concerned to take account of family loyalties and obligations, this is an im portant change. Compared with the 1930's, for instance, a far higher proportion of all employees, both men and women, are now married with family responsibilities.

In round figures, we can say that in 1960 one in six of Britain's labour force was a married woman; over four million in total, of whom a substantial proportion were working part-time. During the preceding ten years of a rising demand for workers, married women made by far the largest contribution. Their numbers increased by 11 million while, according to official figures, the total working popula tion of both men and women rose by under 1 million.