Rural America has long been perceived as "left behind" by policies that leave it struggling while benefiting bustling urban cities and suburbs. That narrative holds some truth: rural America has a declining population, along with lower educational attainment and lower workforce participation than urban America. But while rural America…

Examines reversal of two longstanding unemployment patterns in 1980-82 recession: nonmetropolitan unemployment rate exceeded metropolitan rate and men's unemployment rate exceeded women's. Attributes reversals to recent changes in labor force: shift to service economy, expansion of women's role in workplace, and changes in women's working…

Finds that rural women in Nebraska, particularly farm women, entered the wage labor force in disproportionate numbers from 1977 to 1985--farm crisis years. Uses longitudinal data on about 800 Nebraska women to examine the effects of marital status, preschool children, age, residence, and educational attainment. Contains 14 references. (SV)

Relative to metro growth, nonmetropolitan employment growth was 0.7-1.0 percent lower in the 1970s and 1980s than expected based on eight labor force and labor market variables. Discrepancies between actual and expected growth increased in more rural counties, suggesting the importance of the spatial dimension of rurality. (SV)

This paper examines the impact of increasing service sector employment and decreasing manufacturing employment on the distribution of income across communities on the urban-rural continuum. Changes in the differential distribution of industries and family income across this continuum have important consequences for local services, including…

A survey (n=306) of female employment patterns in the peripheral areas of Israel has shown that labor force participation rates differ across regions and types of settlements. Found that urban and rural women from the same region have different participation rates because of their different socioeconomic characteristics. (KS)

Investigation centered on patterns and determinants of labor market participation for women living within the economic boundaries of standard metropolitan statistical areas (SMSAs) and those relatively isolated from urban centers. Significant differences were noted. Determinants noted included husband's attitude, marital status, and respondent's…

This report examines the use of self-employment as a vocational rehabilitation option in rural areas. Self-employment is one of the fastest growing employment opportunities, as evidenced by the approximately 15.6 million people who reported being self-employed in 1990. Data from the 1980s comparing employment patterns in rural and urban areas…

Reviews historical patterns in the employment of rural women and explains the policy implications of their unique labor market experiences. Analyzes current differences between rural and urban female employment, emphasizing the narrow range of occupations open to rural women and their resulting employment deprivation and vulnerability to poverty.…

In 1999, the percentage of low-wage workers in rural areas was higher than in urban areas or in 1979. The share of women and minorities in low-wage work stabilized, but the share of White men increased. Low-wage work increased in higher-skilled occupations, and the share of college educated low-wage workers increased significantly since 1979. (TD)

Changes in social and economic characteristics of metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area residents from 1970-80 are documented and compared with characteristics of the 1960s. Rural growth and change and rural-urban differences are emphasized in data on population, family, education, labor force, employment, income, poverty, and housing. All basic…

The Equal Employment Opportunity survey reported employment levels and information in the state of Wisconsin for 1968. A sample of 2,132 business firms employing 532,231 persons took part in the survey. Information categories were: (1) minority group employment, (2) major industry group firms, (3) women in employment, (4) employment by job…

The studies compiled in this book analyze the effects of gender on the well-being of individuals and households in Mexico. Analyses examine gender issues over the life cycle, including education and child labor, adult urban and rural labor participation, and the situation of elderly Mexican men and women. Following an introduction by Elizabeth…

Several simulations of population, income, and employment in rural and urban America during 1970-2000 were made based on alternative assumptions. The assumptions entailed implementation of certain policies that might effect a more equal rural-urban balance by the year 2000, in addition to a continuation of current trends. If basic trends continue,…

This study examines the link between human capital endowments of Southern workers and their labor force experiences over time. Using a national longitudinal survey, the experiences of 4,566 individuals who left high school in 1982 were traced through 1992. Findings show similar patterns of educational attainment between women and men, but African…