Family and Work in Rural Societies

Perspectives on Non-Wage Labour

Norman Long

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English

Routledge
01 December 2025

Sociology: family & relationships; Sociology: work & labour

Series: Routledge Revivals

Drawing on data from rural communities both within and outside Europe, the contributors to this volume, originally published in 1984, examine the character and significance of non-wage forms of labour – for example unpaid household agricultural and domestic work and inter-household or community-level labour exchanges. Two central themes are explored. First, the question of the ‘survival’ of non-wage labour and ‘traditional’ patterns of family and household organization in situations where local economic units are, directly or indirectly, dependent upon commodity markets. Secondly, the changing nature and social evaluation of women’s work, both within the household and wider community, in contrasting rural settings. These themes are examined through a number of case-studies covering both industrialized Europe and less developed countries. The introductory chapter provides an overview of analytical perspectives on agrarian change and non-wage labour and indicates the broader theoretical implications of the case-studies.

This volume will be especially useful for students and scholars working in the fields of rural sociology, economic anthropology, women’s studies and development studies.

Edited by: Norman Long
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 138mm,
ISBN: 9781041202608
ISBN 10: 1041202601
Series: Routledge Revivals
Pages: 232
Publication Date: 01 December 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Reviews for Family and Work in Rural Societies: Perspectives on Non-Wage Labour

Original Reviews of Family and Work in Rural Societies: ‘The book does contribute to a greater insight into the way various social and cultural factors interact in widely differing communities to lead to sometimes unexpectedly differing patterns of the changing division of labour.’ Ann Seidman ‘All of the articles provide fascinating glimpses of the gender division of labour in family farm economies.’ June Nash, American Anthropologist Vol 89, No. 4 (1987)