GRE Reading Comprehension
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Source: 1997
Allen and Wolkowitz's research challenges the common claim that homework-waged labor performed at home for a company-is primarily a response to women workers' needs and preferences. By focusing on a limited geographical area in order to gather in-depth information, the authors have avoided the methodological pitfalls that have plagued earlier research on homework. Their findings disprove accepted notions about homeworkers: that they are unqualified for other jobs and that they use homework as a short-term strategy for dealing with child care. The authors conclude that the persistence of homework cannot be explained by appeal to such notions, for, in fact, homeworkers do not differ sharply from other employed women. Most homeworkers would prefer to work outside the home but are constrained from doing so by lack of opportunity. In fact, homework is driven by employers' desires to minimize fixed costs: homeworkers receive no benefits and are paid less than regular employees.
According to the passage, which of the following has been generally believed about homework?
- A the benefits of homework accrue primarily to employers rather than to homeworkers.
- B Homework is prevalent predominantly in rural areas.
- C Homework is primarily a response to the preferences of women workers.
- D Few homeworkers rely on homework for the majority of their family income.
- E Most homework is seasonal and part-time rather than full-time and year-round.