Lohnarbeitsverhältnis und Erwerbsarbeit auf dem kapitalistischen Markt sind für die Frau aus einem 'Muß' des Elends und der materiellen Not über die 'Doppelbelastung der Hausfrau' zu einem Schutz der Frau vor der Hausarbeit und dem Dasein der 'Nur-Hausfrau' und Mutter geworden. Maria S. Rerrich ist seit mehr als zwei Jahrzehnten diesem politischen, sozialen, kulturellen und ökonomischen Wandel auf der Spur. Wie sie haben nur wenige diesen folgenreichen Wandel durch so gründliche und reichhaltige empirische Studien anschaulich gemacht, ihn analytisch differenziert und theoretisch auf den Begriff gebracht. Ihre Einsichten überraschen und geben dem wissenschaftlichen Diskurs Richtung und wesentliche Anregungen - dabei besitzt Maria S. Rerrich auch die seltene Gabe, ihre wissenschaftlichen Beobachtungen und Gedanken in Worte zu fassen, die das allgemeine interessierte Publikum ansprechen. Auf diese Weise vermag sie es, der öffentlichen Debatte neue Denkanstöße zu geben.
For women, wage earning and working outside the home has undergone significant changes under market capitalism; work has changed from being an utter necessity born of poverty and hardship, then later a double burden for the businesswoman/housewife, into an effective defense against household chores and being reduced to the role of 'mere housewife' and mother.
For more than two decades Maria S. Rerrich has monitored the political, social, cultural and economic effects of these changes. Few have been able to demonstrate these developments so lucidly, with thorough and exhausting empirical studies, analytical sharpness and theoretical insight. Her surprising results will certainly influence and significantly contribute to scientific debate. At the same time Maria S. Rerrich is possessed of that rare gift: the ability to describe her scientific analyses and express her thoughts in words understood by the interested general public. In this way, she is making valuable contributions to the public debate on this issue.
For women, wage earning and working outside the home has undergone significant changes under market capitalism; work has changed from being an utter necessity born of poverty and hardship, then later a double burden for the businesswoman/housewife, into an effective defense against household chores and being reduced to the role of 'mere housewife' and mother.
For more than two decades Maria S. Rerrich has monitored the political, social, cultural and economic effects of these changes. Few have been able to demonstrate these developments so lucidly, with thorough and exhausting empirical studies, analytical sharpness and theoretical insight. Her surprising results will certainly influence and significantly contribute to scientific debate. At the same time Maria S. Rerrich is possessed of that rare gift: the ability to describe her scientific analyses and express her thoughts in words understood by the interested general public. In this way, she is making valuable contributions to the public debate on this issue.
