Decision Behaviors of Married Females Re-entering the Labor Market: An Empirical Study in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Abstract

This study investigates the willingness and decision-making regarding married females re-entering the labor market in Kaoshiung, Taiwan. Using a survey methodology, the study comparatively explores (1) the roles and decision-making of married females working outside the home; (2) strategies and obstacles to females entering labor market; (3) factors influencing unemployed females; (4) development of the re-employed females and; (5) the pattern of the married female reentering labor market. A one-way ANOVA and multi-nominal Logistic Regression Analysis are applied. The findings of the study show (1) the negative effect on working females caring for young children; (2) The negative influence on married women re-entering the labor market with children under age 5; (3) husband's income as a factor in discouraging females from working outside the home; (4) salary as a positive effect on job satisfaction for married employed women; (5) the study also shows that all other factors such as age, educational background, choices of residential living area, spouse's educational background, number of children, living with elderly family members, and the price of housing are insignificant in this study; (6) the characteristics of job, such as type of job, working hours number of years of working experience, and "steady" salaries, are not related to job satisfaction.