Articles collected in this book address issues arising from the fact that the American workforce is increasingly composed of parents. Included in the collection are short newspaper and magazine selections as well as longer magazine articles and book chapters. These materials provide primary sources documenting an historical movement of social change, analyze some of the socioeconomic developments discussed within these primary sources, and offer to the business community and others contemporary reports of the changing relationships between work and family life in the 1980's. Preceded by essays introducing each of three sections, readings are organized in the following categories: demographic, economic, and legal trends; employer responses to these trends; and problems and advantages of various work/family arrangements for individuals, families, and corporations. Articles in the first section focus on issues raised by the need for increased participation of women in the workforce. Two topics receive detailed treatment: (1) policies of industrialized countries for child care, family benefits, and working parents; and (2) the estimated constitution of the labor force in 1995. Articles in the second section briefly explore topics such as the situation faced by two-career couples, flexible benefit plans and working hours, paternity leaves and parental leaves for child care, child care as a benefit, and work at home with computers. The third section includes a discussion of occupations, earnings, and career opportunities for women in the job market. (RH)