What role do women play in the workforce during times of labor shortages, as noted by Breugal?

Women are often classified as part of the "reserve army of labor" concept, originally introduced by Karl Marx and taken up by many sociologists, including Breugal. This term suggests that women largely enter the workforce in response to economic demand or labor shortages, often filling in gaps when there is a need for additional labor. During labor shortages, women may be encouraged or required to seek employment, which reflects their role as a flexible resource that can be tapped into as needed.

This characterization acknowledges that women's participation in the workforce may be contingent and often less stable than their male counterparts. This can lead to perspectives on employment that view women as a secondary, less permanent workforce, mobilized primarily during times of increased demand for labor without the same assurances of job security or advancement that more established workers might experience.

In contrast, other terms suggest a more permanent or core role in the labor market. The concept of an integral workforce would imply that women hold essential, long-term positions within the labor market, which may not accurately capture their often contingent role in response to labor market fluctuations. Similarly, the marginal workforce would imply that their contributions are minimal or that their jobs are less valued, when in fact, they can be crucial during these labor shortages. The core labor force