Women in Management and Life Cycle: Aspects That Limit or Promote Getting to the Top

What are the reasons that prevent women reaching higher level management positions in today's society? Life Cycle and Women in Management explores the elements that limit this process, such as those relating to social structure, family and professional socialization in its different levels. An exploratory study, based on in-depth interviews with real managers, it gives a general outlook about society and organizations in the 21st century, examining the problems that occur at the top, and presents a typology of female managers’ attitudes according to age. It looks at the possibility of reconciling work and family responsibilities depending on the women's stage in the life cycle, and explores existing stereotypes within organizations regarding women in upper management. Men’s attitudes towards female managers are explored, making this a must for both men and women who wish to have a mutual understanding at work.

ALICIA E. KAUFMANN is a doctor in Sociology in Sorbonne Paris, France, and Madrid, Spain. She has twice been a Fulbright Scholar, at Yale University, and at the Salzburg Seminar in Vienna. She has written numerous articles and books, and is a member of the editorial board of several outstanding sociological reviews in Spain.