1.  Evaluate the underlying reasons for the dual labor force. Why are some jobs overwhelmingly held by women and others predominantly held by men? Under what circumstances would you envision a change in the gender patterns in the labor force?





2.  Using separate spheres ideology, analyze the history of women's entrance into the paid labor pool and their current patterns of employment and rate of pay. Be sure to be sensitive to the influence of race and class in your analysis.





3.  Virginia Valian, author of Why So Slow? The Advancement of Women, advances three reasons why women willingly carry the "double burden" of caring for children and the home in addition to their full-time jobs. Evaluate the three reasons and the basis for her claims. Assuming for the moment that she is correct, what impact might this situation have on family/work policies? How might federal legislation to ease the pressures of work and family be limited by her thesis?





4.  Evaluate how women fare in the workplace under gender-neutral and gender-specific policies. Using specific policies and examples, create a case for one approach or the other (or some combination) in promoting employment equality for women. What are the benefits and limits of each approach?