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.
The passage suggests which of the following about previous research on homework?
- A It was conducted primarily with women who did not have extensive household respon- sibilities or care for small children at home.
- B It was conducted with homeworkers and companies over a large geographical area.
- C It indicated that women homeworkers had numerous opportunities to work outside the home.
- D It indicated that homeworkers usually work for companies that are close to their homes.
- E It indicated that homework was financially advantageous to large companies.