Grace, Marty (2002) Economic Independence For Mothers of Young Children: Impossible Dream or Agenda For Change? PhD thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

This research examines ideas for change in Australia's social arrangements for care of young children. It focuses on mothers who, in spite of the impact of second-wave feminism, continue to provide most of the care of young children. The central thesis of this work is that Australia's arrangements amount to exploitation of the labour of mothers of young children by the rest of the community, and that it would be reasonable for the rest of the community to contribute much more in the way of economic resources to this work. This research brings together ideas from alternative economics about the economic value of unpaid work, sociological research into time use, and feminist critiques of the ideology of motherhood and the institution of the family. The research examines the issues through the lens of contemporary critical social theory, including relevant feminist theory. This framework emphasizes the concepts of oppression and exploitation, and draws heavily on the feminist critique of the public/private divide.

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