Politicising Parenthood in Scandinavia : Gender Relations in Welfare States

How to respond to the needs of working parents has become a pressing social policy issue in contemporary Western Europe. This book highlights the politicising of parenthood in the Scandinavian welfare states - focusing on the relationship between parents and the state, and the ongoing renegotiations between the public and the private. Drawing on new empirical research, leading Scandinavian academics provide an up-to-date record and critical synthesis of Nordic work-family reforms since the 1990s. A broad range of policies targeting working parents is examined including: the expansion of childcare services as a social right; parental leave; cash benefits for childcare; and working hours regulations. The book also explores policy discourses, scrutinises outcomes, and highlights the similarities and differences between Nordic countries through analyses of comparative statistical data and national case studies. Set in the context of economic restructuring and the growing influence of neo-liberal ideology, each chapter addresses concerns about the impact of policies on the gender relations of parenthood. Politicising parenthood in Scandinavia is a timely contribution to ongoing policy debates on welfare state models, parenthood and gender equality. It will be of particular interest to students and teachers of welfare studies, family policy and gender studies.|How to respond to the needs of working parents has become a pressing social policy issue in contemporary Western Europe. This book highlights the politicising of parenthood in the Scandinavian welfare states - focusing on the relationship between parents and the state, and the ongoing renegotiations between the public and the private. Drawing on new empirical research, leading Scandinavian academics provide an up-to-date record and critical synthesis of Nordic work-family reforms since the 1990s. A broad range of policies targeting working parents is examined including: the expansion of childcare services as a social right; parental leave; cash benefits for childcare; and working hours regulations. The book also explores policy discourses, scrutinises outcomes, and highlights the similarities and differences between Nordic countries through analyses of comparative statistical data and national case studies. Set in the context of economic restructuring and the growing influence of neo-liberal ideology, each chapter addresses concerns about the impact of policies on the gender relations of parenthood. Politicising parenthood in Scandinavia is a timely contribution to ongoing policy debates on welfare state models, parenthood and gender equality. It will be of particular interest to students and teachers of welfare studies, family policy and gender studies. Talks About The Politicising Of Parenthood In The Scandinavian Welfare States. This Book Focuses On The Relationship Between Parents And The State, And The Renegotiations Between The Public And The Private. It Explores Policy Discourses, Scrutinises Outcomes, And Presents The Similarities And Differences Between Nordic Countries. Introduction: Politicising Parenthood In Scandinavia / Anne Lise Ellinsaeter And Arnlaug Leira -- Parenthood Change And Policy Reform In Scandinavia, 1970s-2000s / Arnlaug Leira -- Nordic Fertility Patterns: Compatible With Gender Equality? / Marit Ronsen And Kari Skrede -- Nordic Men On Parental Leave: Can The Welfare State Change Gender Relations? / Johanna Lammi-taskula -- The Public-private Split Rearticulated: Abolishment Of The Danish Daddy Leave / Anette Borchorst -- The Norwegian Childcare Regime And Its Paradoxes / Anne Lise Ellingsaeter -- Parental Choice And The Passion For Equality In Finland / Minna Salmi -- Woman-friendliness And Economic Depression: Finland And Sweden In The 1990s / Heikki Hillamo -- Working Time And Caring Strategies: Parenthood In Different Welfare States / Thomas P. Boje -- Diverging Paths? The Dual-earner/dual-career Model In Finland And Sweden In The 1990s / Anita Haataja And Anita Nyberg -- Lone Motherhood In The Nordic Countries: Sole Providers In Dual-breadwinner Regimes / Anne Skevik -- Epilogue: Scandinavian Policies Of Parenthood -- A Success Story? / Anne Lise Ellingsaeter And Arnlaug Leira. Edited By Anne Lise Ellingsæter And Arnlaug Leira. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

How to respond to the needs of working parents has become a pressing social policy issue in contemporary Western Europe. This book highlights the politicising of parenthood in the Scandinavian welfare states - focusing on the relationship between parents and the state, and the ongoing renegotiations between the public and the private. Drawing on new empirical research, leading Scandinavian academics provide an up-to-date record and critical synthesis of Nordic work-family reforms since the 1990s. A broad range of policies targeting working parents is examined including: the expansion of childcare services as a social right; parental leave; cash benefits for childcare; and working hours regulations. The book also explores policy discourses, scrutinises outcomes, and highlights the similarities and differences between Nordic countries through analyses of comparative statistical data and national case studies. Set in the context of economic restructuring and the growing influence of neo-liberal ideology, each chapter addresses concerns about the impact of policies on the gender relations of parenthood. Politicising parenthood in Scandinavia is a timely contribution to ongoing policy debates on welfare state models, parenthood and gender equality. It will be of particular interest to students and teachers of welfare studies, family policy and gender studies.

Politicising parenthood in Scandinavia Contents List of boxes, figures and tables Acknowledgements List of contributors Introduction Part One: Politicising parenthood – legacies and challenges Parenthood change and policy reform in Scandinavia, 1970s-2000s Nordic fertility patterns Part Two: Gender equality and parental choice in welfare state redesign Nordic men on parental leave The public–private split rearticulated The Norwegian childcare regime and its paradoxes Parental choice and the passion for equality in Finland Part Three: Work, family and the welfare state: redefining family models Woman-friendliness and economic depression Working time and caring strategies Diverging paths? Lone motherhood in the Nordic countries Epilogue Index What is to be done about prostitution? Is it work or is it violence? Are women involved in it offenders or victims? Is it a private or a political issue? The answers to these questions depend on many factors, including where you live. This book provides a close comparison of the laws, policies and interventions in countries across Europe and Asia.