The Century Gap

The pattern of women's lives, their aspirations and their expectations, have changed dramatically this century. Unfortunately, their partners, employers and governments have not kept pace. The result of this is that women, with the attitudes that they now hold, are poised to enter the 21st century ahead of men - our society now has a "century gap" between the sexes. As a result of this "century gap", argues the author, women are often left feeling torn and guilty as they try to make the balance between domestic life, where the "new" caring/sharing man is still a myth, and a work life where they are expected to conform to archiac employment patterns which continue to favour men for hours, high pay, training, opportunities and legal and pension rights. Encouraging women to recognize that the guilt they inevitably feel is not of their own making, this book explains the dilemma this poses for society as a whole. The author is Labour MP for Peckham, South London.