Description:This title explores the potential of longitudinal analysis as a powerful tool for appreciating the gender dimension of social change. The authors use longitudinal data to provide new insights into the changing dynamics of women's life courses today. Contributors view the data from a policy perspective and use comparative analysis from Britain, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden and Japan to expand our understanding of women's life courses and systems of inequality. Academics, students and researchers in sociology, gender studies, social research, public and social policy should find this book a valuable resource.