Until recently, Calcutta has been notable for having one of the lowest rates of female employment in India. This has been largely determined by strong cultural beliefs that a woman's place is in the home. However, in recent years, the growth of female jobs in the small-scale industry and service sectors, combined with an increase in male unemployment has resulted in a sudden increase in the numbers of women entering the labour force. Based on Hilary Standing's extensive fieldwork within Bengali households, Dependence and Autonomy considers the effects of women's employment on the labour market, the household, and the women themselves. Particular attention is paid to the role of the life cycle and of class position in determining the impact of employment, and the work is set withing and historical perspective on gender and employment in Bengali society.