Since 1962, there has been a general trend toward increased labour-force participation among women of all social classes, whatever their age, marital status and, for those with children, regardless of family size and occupational status of spouse. Yet important regional variations in women's labour force participation rates persist. These variations are related to the dynamic of regional diversification in employment structure. The participation of women with children has been largely rendered possible by access to new household technologies which have reduced the time women need to spend on household tasks.