Economic reform in post-Soviet Russia created not only a devastating decline in living standards, but also widespread insecurity and uncertainty. This book is the first to analyse the situation from a gendered perspective, shedding new light on the way in which Russians are coping with the transformation of the labour market.

The book examines gender differences in responses to economic reform, and considers the implications of these for the labour market outcomes and wider well-being of men and women during transition. Based on original research carried out by an experienced team of sociologists, the book analyses the journeys of 240 men and women through the turbulent Russian labour market of 1999-2001. It includes chapters on:

*the way gender norms inherited from the Soviet era have

influenced responses to transition

*sex segregation and discrimination in the labour market

*gender differences in work orientations and behaviour

*who benefits from networks

*which life events are most likely to initiate downward

economic trajectories.