Includes bibliographical references and index.

Pt. I. What Are the Issues in the Economics of Gender? -- Pt. II. Why Do Women and Men Work? -- Pt. III. The Earnings Puzzle: Why Do Women Earn Less than Men? -- Pt. IV. Cross-Societal Comparisons: Are Gender Differences the Same Everywhere? -- Pt. V. Historical Comparisons: How Do Gender Differences Vary over Time?

The Economics of Gender, Second Edition offers a comprehensive, balanced, and up-to-date introduction to the new work on the differences between women's and men's economic opportunities, activities, and rewards. Although Jacobsen's primary focus is on contemporary U.S. patterns, she devotes four chapters to cross-societal comparisons. She also takes a close look at the evolution of contemporary patterns over time and the impact on them of race, ethnicity, and class. Throughout, she discusses the pros and cons of various policies, including "comparable worth" and welfare programs. The Economics of Gender will continue to be welcomed as a primary text for the growing number of courses on gender economics. It remains a valuable supplement to courses in labor economics, economic policy, and women's studies. Finally, academics and policymakers in a wide range of fields will appreciate the book as a crucial reference.