A cohort analysis of trends in the labor force participation of men and women in the United States: 1890 to 1985

This dissertation expands upon previous studies of labor force participation in the United States by conducting a detailed analysis of participation trends in the twentieth century from a cohort perspective. The work accomplishes four objectives: (1) the construction of labor force participation histories of cohorts of men and women in the United States, classified in 5-year age groups, covering all quinquennial periods between 1890 and 1985, (2) the analysis of changes in the age patterns of participation of cohorts and the comparison of cohort participation trends with those displayed by traditional "period" analyses, (3) the examination of variations in cohort patterns of participation by race, marital status, and educational attainment, and (4) the identification of age, period, and cohort components affecting labor force trends.;Drawing on the rich historical series of cohort participation histories developed in the dissertation, the analysis demonstrates how the cohort approach can lend a new perspective to the study of labor force participation by more clearly identifying the ages at which actual cohort changes in participation occur, giving a better understanding of the development of labor force trends over time. For women, the source of participation increases in the post-World War II period has been through the increasing propensities of women under 45 year of age (mostly married women) to enter and remain in the work force. The transmission of these higher levels of participation through normal cohort patterns has led to the sharp increases in participation of older-aged women that are reflected in time series data. The indelible impact of the World War II experience in altering participation trends of women is highlighted. Overall, cohort and period effects have been much more influential than age effects on shaping labor force trends over time.;For men, the cohort perspective is insightful in the analysis of trends in the labor force participation of older men and nonwhite men. The trend toward declining participation since 1940 differs sharply according to educational levels within cohorts. Age effects have predominately shaped labor force trends of men, with period and cohort effects being influential in particular intervals.