Female Labour Supply in Canada:  The Decision to Participate in Full-time vs. Part-time

ABSTRACT

For many years men’s participation rate in the labour force has been higher than those of their female counterparts.  However, during the past 50 years Canada has experienced a tremendous growth in female participation.  This paper examines and identifies factors that affect a women’s, in particular married women’s, decision to participate in full-time versus part-time work.  Data from the Census of Canada 2001 are employed to analyze and assess such factors.    

In the past, many societies have supported the ideology of the single breadwinner (the husband), to be the sole financial provider of his family. This ideology required married women to play the role of a stay home wife and mother who tends to her children and household chores. Currently this ideology still exists culturally and at times by choice, however, in the past 50 years Canada...