States, markets, families : gender, liberalism, and social policy in Australia, Canada, Great Britain, and the United States

The 1990s have seen dramatic restructuring of state social provision in the US, the UK, Canada and Australia. This has occurred largely because of the rise of market liberalism, which challenges the role of the state. This important book examines the impact of changes in social policy regimes on gender roles and relations. Structured thematically and systematically comparative, it analyses three key policy areas: labor markets, income maintenance and reproductive rights. Largely driven by issues of equality, it considers the role of the state as a site for gender and sexual politics at a time when primacy is given to the market, developing an argument about social citizenship in the process. Eminent scholars in the field, Julia O'Connor, Ann Orloff and Sheila Shaver make a landmark contribution to debates about social policy and gender relations in this era of economic restructuring and deregulation. This Important Book Examines The Impact Of Changes In Social Policy Regimes On Gender Roles And Relations. Structured Thematically And Systematically Comparative, It Analyses Three Key Policy Areas: Labour Markets, Income Maintenance, And Reproductive Rights. Largely Driven By Issues Of Equality, It Considers The Role Of The State As A Site For Gender And Sexual Politics At A Time When Primacy Is Given To The Market, Developing An Argument About Social Citizenship In The Process.--jacket. 1. Gendering Theories And Comparisons Of Welfare States -- 2. Liberalism, Gender And Social Policy -- 3. The Labour Market And Social Policy -- 4. Social Rights Versus Gender Stratification And Gender Power? -- 5. Body Rights, Social Rights And Reproductive Choice -- 6. Liberalism, Gendered Policy Logics And Mobilisation -- 7. States, Markets, Families. Julia S. O'connor, Ann Shola Orloff, And Sheila Shaver. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 238-265) And Index.

Three leading figures in the field make this important contribution to debates about social policy and gender relations in an era of economic restructuring and market liberalism. Structured thematically and systematically comparative, the book analyzes three key policy areas: labor markets, income maintenance and reproductive rights. It explores the question of whether liberal states should intervene in workplaces or families to guarantee the rights and welfare of all individuals within them. The experiences of Canada, the UK, United States and Australia are the focus of the book.