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Social classes for women of differing marital status

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

Su Kingsley  and
John McEwan
Su Kingsley
Affiliation:
Helen Brook Department of Family Planning, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5
John McEwan
Affiliation:
Helen Brook Department of Family Planning, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5
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Summary

Studies involving collation of social characteristics of women frequently include statements about their social class designation and may compare groups in different classes against other variables. The method of making such a designation is very unsatisfactory and may lead to spurious conclusions arising from the method of classification.

When designation is carried out by a method primarily concerned with married women's own occupations rather than those of their husbands, some of the apparent differences in distribution are lost. It is possible to examine married and unmarried women together if those in both groups work outside the home.

Such considerations are particularly important in data relating to reproductive behaviour, such as abortion statistics and studies of births or the use of contraception.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 10 , Issue 4 , October 1978 , pp. 353 - 359
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

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References

Kayser, B.D. (1974) Response bias in children's reports of parental status characteristics. Soc. Focus, 7, 61.Google Scholar
McEwan, J.A. (1975) Hospital family planning: collecting information. Contraception, 11, 651.Google Scholar
Registrar General (1974) Statistical Review of England and Wales, 1973. Supplement on Abortion. HM Stationary Office, London.Google Scholar