The Challenge of Change

This book is a compilation and update of a group of provocative papers presented at the Radcliffe College invitational conference, "Perspectives on the Patterns of an Era: Family, Work, and Education." A scholarly event saluting Radcliffe's centenary, the conference examined a range of indicators of social change, particularly as they relate to women in America in the last two decades. The program was interdisciplinary, bringing together scholars from economics, history, psychology, sociol­ ogy, and psychiatry. Each conference participant was asked to explore, theoretically and empirically, the lessons of our social history and, as much as possible, to separate myth from reality with regard to recent changes in patterns of family life, work, and education. Particular emphasis was given to the examination of the rapid changes-or what have been assumed to be the rapid changes-of the last two decades. In addition, participants ana­ lyzed the perceived and actual costs and benefits associated with chang­ ing lifestyles, for women and men as individuals and for society as a whole. Finally, they considered the implications of their findings for the future and identified areas for further research.