Social policy influences black wives' employment policies, regardless of occupation. The factors that influence a wife's working come from various social or societal levels--the individual, the family, and the wider society or environment. Individual characteristics supporting the black women's strong attachment to the world of work are her attitudes about and expectation for work, parent attitude, educational preparation, husband support, and black community support. Laws and social policy in America have detrimental influences on the working-wife family. No policy exists to reduce the high unemployment rate of black women, Social Security laws are no longer relevant, and no support exists in terms of child care. Child care is especially important because early care has a lasting influence, black families are comparatively larger, a larger proportion of black mothers work, and they are more attached to the work force. A dual perspective is desirable in achieving social change-- (1) acquainting policy makers, government officials, and wider society about differential influences of present social policy and need for more relevant social policy and (2) initiating necessary changes by blacks themselves. (YLB)