FEATURE/European women are both breadwinners & caregivers; Whirlpool Foundation study dispels stereotypes; shows European women hold comparable views with North American women on work, family, society.

BENTON HARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--Jan. 30, 1996-- Nearly 60 percent of working women in Europe provide about half or more of their family's income, according to a research study released today by Whirlpool Foundation.

While six out of ten women choose to work for the same reasons as men -- money -- if money is not a concern, 48 percent of European working women would still work.

The pan-European study, Women: Setting New Priorities, reaffirms the findings of a previous Whirlpool Foundation study demonstrating the role of women in North America as "the new providers." One of the largest privately conducted surveys in Europe, Women: Setting New Priorities also found that European women remain committed to their families and desire greater time to spend with their family, clearly defining the dual breadwinner and caregiver role.

"Women on both sides of the Atlantic provide important and necessary financial and personal support to their families," said Nancy Snyder, member of Whirlpool Foundation's Board of Trustees. "Working outside the home and having a successful family life is not an `either/or' proposition. Stereotypes such as women who work do so only to have extra cash, or women who have families must give up their careers, are not valid for today's women in Europe and North America," she added.

The Whirlpool Foundation study, conducted in association with London-based Market Opinion Research International (MORI), examines the views and concerns of European women regarding employment, their families, and society as a whole. Based on extensive research of nearly 7,000 women and men in Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, it presents a quantitative and qualitative analysis on both a national and pan-European basis. Women: The New Providers, Whirlpool Foundation's comparable study of North American women, was released in May 1995.

"There is no question that European women play an important role in the economy and society," said Colleen D. Keast, Whirlpool Foundation executive director. "Yet, like their North American counterparts, European women do not feel that employers and government officials are responding to their needs. This report provides a framework for policy makers to address the specific issues that impact women's work and family responsibilities."

Both European and North American working women agree that -- other than income -- quality of work, having a good job, and flexibility in working hours are valued and desired most. Job security also is viewed as an important priority.

European women hold similar views to North American women on the politically charged "family values" issue. Both see family values not as relating to traditional family structures, but rather as behavioral in nature. Fifty-seven percent of European women and 52 percent of North American women define family values as loving and supporting one another.

Women: Setting New Priorities reaffirms women's caregiver role as 94 percent of European women said their family is the most important part of their lives, and 71 percent rate themselves as a good parent. Both European and North American women fear crime and lack of safety near the home as the greatest threat to their families.

"The views and attitudes of European women proved to be very similar to those of North American women throughout the Whirlpool Foundation study," added Keast. "Our research debunks any stereotypes that North American and European women feel distinctly differently about work and family."

Field work for the study was conducted by MORI representatives and associate organizations during the summer of 1995. A number of non-governmental organizations in Europe helped to prepare the questionnaire and analyze the data, including the Brussels-based Centre for Research on European Women, The Confederation of Family Associations, London's Federation of Women's Institutes, and the German Familienbund.

Women: Setting New Priorities is the second component of a four-part, worldwide research initiative being conducted by Whirlpool Foundation to better understand women's views as they relate to work, family, and societal issues. The study report was released at five simultaneous media briefings in London, Paris, Hamburg, Milan and Madrid.

Whirlpool Foundation is the separate, philanthropic arm of Whirlpool Corp. The findings will help the foundation target grants to address family life issues in the pan-European region, as well as stimulate public and organizational discussion about women's concerns and attitudes in Europe.

Copies of the study are available free-of-charge by writing: European Women Study, P.O. Box 405, St. Joseph, MI 49085. -0-

NOTE TO NEWS MEDIA: Copies of Women: Setting New Priorities are available to interested news media by contacting Jeff Francis, Whirlpool Foundation, 616/923-5582. -0-

                        WHIRLPOOL FOUNDATION

                   Women:  Setting New Priorities

                            Key Findings

Work
____

o  Nearly 60 percent of European and 55 percent of North American
   working women provide about half or more of the family income

o  European women work for the same reasons as men -- money

o  48 percent of both European and North American women would still
   work if given a choice

o  Most European women define their work as a job, rather than a
   career -- only 33 percent define work as a career, compared to
   46 percent of North American women

o  Part-time work is the preferred work arrangement among both
   European women and men

o  European women continue to represent the largest increase in the
   workforce -- 43 percent of European women at home plan to join
   the paid workforce

o  Both European and North American women define success at work as
   providing quality work

Family
______

o  Overwhelming majority (94 percent) of European women say their
   family is the most important part of their lives

o  More than half of both European and North American women would
   not give up any family responsibility

o  Family values do not relate to traditional family structures, but
   rather are behavioral in nature -- 57 percent of European women
   and 52 percent of North American women define family values as
   loving and supporting one another

o  The role of European men has changed according to both women and
   men -- men are spending more time with their children

o  If money were not a consideration, 17 percent of European men
   would prefer to be at home with their children

o  Mothers rate themselves as good parents -- 71 percent in Europe
   and 91 percent in North America

o  More time is devoted to eating meals together than any other
   family activity

o  Crime and lack of safety near the home is the greatest family
   concern of both European and North American women

Society
_______

o  The combination of both work and family responsibilities is the
   most ideal lifestyle for women, according to 41 percent of
   European men and women

o  Having a good job and being happy and satisfied describe success
   for 42 percent of European women

o  Both European men and women feel it remains a man's world

Broad Implications
__________________

o  Employers and public policymakers should re-examine workplace
   rules, requirements and support structures to ensure they are
   meeting the work and family needs of women and men

o  Employers should consider issues of flexibility, career
   advancement, compensation and recognition to meet the needs of
   working women

o  The structures and policies that sustain and support families
   should recognize the economic contributions of women and the
   changing role of men

o  Public institutions should make a concerted effort to connect
   with their female constituents, and address their specific issues

CONTACT: Whirlpool Foundation, Benton Harbor

Jeff Francis, 616/923-5582