Gender, Non-standard Work and Development Regimes: A Comparison of the USA and Indonesia

This article explores the changing labour market participation of women in the USA and Indonesia, specifically examining trends in 'atypical, or 'non-standard' employment. We are interested in exploring how globalization pressures have contributed to changing employment patterns, and the policy approaches adopted in both countries. Three types of atypical employment are examined: part-time, temporary and self-employment. In this article we compare the evolution of development and welfare mechanisms in both countries in shaping female participation. It is argued that the dominant neo-liberal model serves to entrench existing inequalities, leading to women being peripheralized into precarious, non-standard jobs.