Reconsidering Women's Role in the Professionalisation of the Economy: Evidence from the Australian Census 1881–1947

Journal article

Forsyth, H.. (2019). Reconsidering Women's Role in the Professionalisation of the Economy: Evidence from the Australian Census 1881–1947. Australian Economic History Review. 59(1), pp. 55-79. https://doi.org/10.1111/aehr.12147
AuthorsForsyth, H.
Abstract

Scholarly histories of the professions have generally ignored the role of women in most professional work. This article uses data from the Australian Census to analyse patterns as the professions grew to occupy a significant portion of the labour force. The article discusses the strengths and limitations of the Census, especially for women. It finds a relatively high proportion of women professionals as a percentage of the female labour force throughout the period. Much of the professional work done by women was derived from social, household-based work. This suggests a need to reconsider the role of women in the professionalisation of the wider economy.

KeywordsAustralia; labour force; occupations; women; professions; gender; middle-class
Year2019
JournalAustralian Economic History Review
Journal citation59 (1), pp. 55-79
PublisherWiley Blackwell Publishing
ISSN1467-8446
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/aehr.12147
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85064347104
Open accessPublished as green open access
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range55-79
Author's accepted manuscript
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Open
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Print01 Mar 2019
Publication process dates
Deposited06 Sep 2021
ARC Funded ResearchThis output has been funded, wholly or partially, under the Australian Research Council Act 2001
Grant IDDE170100466
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