This handbook offers a comprehensive view of the labor force activity of women in the United States and describes a range of legal and socioeconomic developments that have had an effect upon women's participation and progress in the work force. Through numerous statistical charts and tables, the book depicts change and reactions to change in the composition of families as well as in the workplace. The book is organized in 14 chapters that cover the following: (1) women in the work force; (2) occupations of working women; (3) women's earnings and income; (4) minority women workers; (5) women business owners; (6) changing family structures and lifestyles; (7) shifting patterns in education and training; (8) the changing face of industry; (9) diversity in workstyles; (10) the aging population; (11) occupational safety and health; (12) legal rights of women workers; (13) projections of interest to women workers; and (14) progress, problems, and prospects--conclusions about women and work. Each chapter is introduced by data sketches that provide a summary of the chapter. The book is indexed. (KC)