Youth and gender: women’s paid and unpaid work trajectories: The case of Argentina

Abstract

This chapter offers an analysis of the intricate intersection between youth and gender dynamics in the context of Argentina. The primary focus is on the labor trajectories of young women, encompassing both paid and unpaid employment. The research draws upon an examination of 21 interviews, conducted by the FLACSO Argentina Youth Research Program amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The interviewees, aged between 20 and 29, experienced motherhood around the age of 20. These interviews provide a deep exploration into their entry into the labor market, the intricate balance of caregiving duties, their resilience in the face of pandemic-induced disruptions, and the strategic approaches adopted by their families. The findings are scrutinized through the lens of a comprehensive theoretical framework that blends youth transition studies with a gender perspective. Particularly noteworthy is the examination of young mothers hailing from working-class neighborhoods. Here, the tenacious persistence of heteronormative norms significantly shapes their journey into adulthood. The outcomes gleaned from the analysis illuminate a diverse spectrum of scenarios, each characterized by tensions, providing an opportunity to address situations of disadvantage.