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the role of opportunity structures in older women workers' careers
Author(s) -
August Rachel A.,
Quintero Victoria C.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of employment counseling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.252
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 2161-1920
pISSN - 0022-0787
DOI - 10.1002/j.2161-1920.2001.tb00833.x
Subject(s) - psychology , work (physics) , opportunity structures , career counseling , social psychology , career development , public relations , applied psychology , political science , mechanical engineering , engineering , politics , law
This article describes contextual factors that exert influence on whether, when, and how people retire. The authors use opportunity structures as a framework for describing these processes. Interview data were gathered from 21 late‐career women; 2 illustrative cases depict differing career circumstances. Several important contextual factors were identified, including organizational membership, occupational membership, work peers, and the history of opportunities. Depending on the circumstances, these factors can enhance or limit the range of retirement‐related options. Employment counselors can help expand this range by advocating training and job placement centers, examining norms and combating stereotypes, and encouraging job redesign.