The objective of this article is to synthesize Catherine Hakim’s theory of preferences, which develops a rather original perspective in the reflections that focus on the dichotomy of the family and the labor market in the female population. This analysis mainly seeks to expose, on the one hand, the contributions of Hakim’s proposal and its limitations through the criticisms it has received in sociological and demographic debates. On the other, an attempt is made to clarify its applications in terms of public policies aimed at improving the conditions of women in both spheres.