Abstract
This study was conducted to help develop women's human resources and promote married women's return to workforce. Using various data, we examined the patterns of Korean women's economic activities over the lifecycle, career discontinuation and return to the workforce. We also interviewed twenty full-time housewives who wanted to return to workforce. The interview questions included reasons for seeking employment, desired working conditions, and difficulties in finding a job. Major findings are as follows: First, there were two groups with respect to reasons why they want employment One was an economic need such as earning basic living expenses and supporting the family. The other was self-realization and social participation. Second most women wanted to do unskilled labor such as housekeeping work, whereas some young or well-educated women looked for a professional job. Third, married women preferred part-time jobs, which were compatible with their family care demands. Most of them wanted a workplace located close to home. The women with child-care responsibility preferred working at home. Fourth, regarding difficulties of returning to workforce, they pointed out vocational ability problems due to their career discontinuation, social prejudice such as gender discrimination and psychological pressure in maintaining work and family at the same time. In order to promote employment of married women, it is required not only to change social prejudices but also to increase effectiveness in policy implementation. In addition, counseling for job-search and vocational ability training programs should be provide.