Social inequality among women: Polarization, equalization, or status quo?

How have the significant changes in Norwegian women's position in society affected social inequalities among women? In this article we examine how women's social class origin affects their educational choices, and what significance their level of education has for family formation and for integration and status in work life. The empirical analysis is based on retrospective data on family and work histories extracted from a national, representative sample of women born in 1945, 1955, and 1960. The article concludes that these postwar generations have participated in the modern gender-equality project-including education, employment, and children-to different degrees. Women's social class origin and educational level continue to create crucial divisions in women's interests and preferences with regard to family and employment.