Gender Segregation in Societal Context

Current controversies over indices of segregation emphasise the issue of measuring the level of segregation at the expense of analysis of the meaning of segregation. Comparative research into patterns of segregation across European member states has revealed that there is some evidence of similarities in patterns and trends, but to understand their significance for women's employment outcomes an appreciation of differences in the structural organisation of labour markets and in `gender regimes' is required. A dynamic analysis is also necessary, in which not only the pattern of segregation, but also the nature of jobs and rewards is subject to change. Linking gender segregation research more closely to labour market outcomes reveals the need for equal opportunities policies to be closely linked to the specific systems of labour market organisation in European member states.