Journey to work considerations in the labour force participation of married women

Abstract

Andrews H. F. (1978) Journey to work considerations in the labour force participation of married women, Reg. Studies. 12, 11–20. Both working and non-working married female respondents were asked questions to gauge sensitivities to remaining in, withdrawing from or entering the labour force as a result of increasing journey to work times and costs. Similar indications of labour supply elasticity are found for both full-time and part-time workers, though considerable interregional variation exists. Associations between elasticity of supply, level of earnings, husband's attitudes and wive's contribution to total household income are also found. Presented with fixed and hypothetical levels of earnings, acceptable journey to work times vary similarly for both current workers and latent workers, though the supply elasticities for those currently working are somewhat higher.