L’intreccio tra condizioni di vita e di lavoro: una prospettiva di genere

This Chapter investigates the links between working and living conditions as relevant aspects of the analysis of the labour market and its gender inequalities. In doing so, we use an extended engendered definition of the standard of living that includes unpaid domestic and care work. Moreover, in this perspective, we analyse cases of individuals’ dissatisfaction with regard to their working conditions. Beside a theoretical discussion of the structural link between working and living conditions, in the paper we use microdata on individuals and families living in the Modena district, in Italy. This area is characterized by one of the highest level of per capita income in Italy, a presence of public services higher than average at national level, and female activity rates higher than the EU average. Nonetheless, gender inequalities in total-work load, incomes and social participation remain high. To measure the interaction between working and living conditions and their gender differences, we use the Survey on Economic and Social Conditions in the Modena District (ICESmo). This survey, carried out by CAPP (Centre of Analysis of Public Policies) in year 2002, allows us to collect information on many relevant variables -housing, time use, social activities, desired number of children, et. - together with individual and family income and wealth conditions. The data allow us to provide a quantitative indication of gender working and living conditions and their interrelationship in the space of incomes and time use. It is in itself multidimensional and focused on living conditions, but the challenge is to see how this information can be used in a capability approach speculating on which and how capabilities and functionings could be related to these quantitative dimensions analysed in the space of resources.