The pattern of female labor force participation patterns across the life cycle before 1970 would be best represented by which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Before 1970, the pattern of female labor force participation across the life cycle was represented by an "M shape." This means that young women would enter the labor force, but then drop out when they got married and had children. Later in life, they would re-enter the labor force after their children were grown and their need for child care decreased. This pattern is called the "M shape" because labor force participation starts high, dips in the middle (during the childbearing years), and then increases again later in life.

The Pattern of Female Labor Force Participation Patterns Across the Life