[The incompatibility of maternity and labor force participation: a historical and conceptual analysis]

Researchers as well as politicians point more and more to the problematic relationship between maternity and labour force participation. This article aims at a conceptual clarification of this conflicting relation and at describing the different aspects of it. The role theory is used as the conceptual framework which is however placed within a broader socio-historical analysis. The incompatibility can be seen as part of the evolution from an agrarian family to the present nuclear family. It can also be seen in the context of the evolution of female labour force participation and of the opinions on this participation. Concerns of incompatibility include time factors financial costs and needs and maternal stress. (SUMMARY IN ENG) (EXCERPT)