Full Citation

Title: An analysis of the occupations of free women in the antebellum USA

Citation Type: Journal Article

Forthcoming?: Yes

ISBN:

ISSN: 18632513

DOI: 10.1007/S11698-023-00268-X/TABLES/9

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PMID:

Abstract: This paper analyzes the occupational status and distribution of free women in the antebellum USA. It considers both their reported and unreported (imputed) occupations, using the 1/100 microdata files from the 1860 Census of Population, the only Census that asked free women’s occupations while slavery was legal. After developing and testing the model based on economic and demographic variables used to explain whether a free woman has an occupation, analyses are conducted comparing their occupational distribution to free men, along with analyses among women by marital status, nativity, and the prevalence of slavery. This paper highlights the importance of including unreported family workers in discussions of free female labor market contributions, as their inclusion dramatically shifts the overall female labor force participation rate, as well as their occupational distribution.

Url: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11698-023-00268-x

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Chiswick, Barry R.; Robinson, Rae Ann Halenda

Periodical (Full): Cliometrica

Issue:

Volume:

Pages: 1-41

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Family and Marriage, Gender, Labor Force and Occupational Structure

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