The Middle‐Aged “Older Woman”: A Feminist Librarian's Approach to Library Resources

Abstract

At least three demographic trends in the twentieth century are having a tremendous impact on the patterns of women's lives. With increased life expectancy, reduced birth‐rate, and expanded occupational mobility, the life cycle of the American female has undergone great change. At midlife, many women today begin roles new to them—widow/divorcee, student, salaried employee, head‐of‐household are usually discussed. They may be confronted with new challenges—entering or reentering the labor force, returning to school, renewing old skills and roles—or may merely be struggling to survive. Rarely mentioned are the never‐married women and the fact that most people work because they must acquire the basics for themselves and/or for others.

Citation

Wheeler, H.R. (1981), "The Middle‐Aged “Older Woman”: A Feminist Librarian's Approach to Library Resources", Collection Building, Vol. 3 No. 1, pp. 19-30. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb023049