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Social Policy, Employment and Family Change in Comparative Perspective
This book is a comparative study of family change, parental employment and social policy in the five Nordic countries, the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom. In all these countries family forms have been profoundly affected by lower fertility rates, lower marriage rates, increased cohabitation, higher risks of relationship breakdown and episodes of lone parenthood. These changes have also been linked to an increase in the proportion of mothers participating in the labour market.
More Information
Contributors
Contents
More Information
This book is a comparative study of family change, parental employment and social policy in the five Nordic countries, the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom. In all these countries family forms have been profoundly affected by lower fertility rates, lower marriage rates, increased cohabitation, higher risks of relationship breakdown and episodes of lone parenthood. These changes have also been linked to an increase in the proportion of mothers participating in the labour market.
The contributors to this book trace these social trends over the last twenty years and analyse how social policy has developed and evolved in response. They argue that while the Nordic countries pioneered efforts to recognise new family forms and reconcile work and family life, there is still considerable variation between them as well as some evidence that the non-Nordic countries are catching up.
Social Policy, Employment and Family Change in Comparative Perspective will strongly appeal to academics and researchers of social policy as well as policy makers looking to learn from the experiences of these countries.
The contributors to this book trace these social trends over the last twenty years and analyse how social policy has developed and evolved in response. They argue that while the Nordic countries pioneered efforts to recognise new family forms and reconcile work and family life, there is still considerable variation between them as well as some evidence that the non-Nordic countries are catching up.
Social Policy, Employment and Family Change in Comparative Perspective will strongly appeal to academics and researchers of social policy as well as policy makers looking to learn from the experiences of these countries.
Contributors
Contributors: P. Abrahamson, U. Bjornberg, J. Bradshaw, G.B. Eydal, N. Finch, K. Forssén, A. Hatland, T. Knijn, E. Mayhew, S. Ólafsson, I. Ostner, A. Rijken, V.-M. Ritakallio, C. Schmitt, A. Skevik, C. Wehner
Contents
Contents:
Foreword
1. Introduction
Jonathan Bradshaw and Aksel Hatland
2. Family Change
Naomi Finch
3. The Parental Employment Context
Emese Mayhew
4. State Recognition of New Family Forms?
Cecilie Wehner and Peter Abrahamson
5. Parental Rights and Obligations
Aksel Hatland and Emese Mayhew
6. Family Benefit Packages
Jonathan Bradshaw and Emese Mayhew
7. Childcare and Parental Leave
Naomi Finch
8. Fertility Rates in Europe: The Influence of Policy, Economy and Culture
Arieke Rijken
9. First Births: A Comparative Study of the Patterns of Transition to Parenthood in Europe
Katja Forssén and Veli-Matti Ritakallio
10. Men and (Their) Families: Comparative Perspectives on Men’s Roles and Attitudes Towards Family Formation
Trudie Knijn, Ilona Ostner and Christoph Schmitt
11. Education, Employment and Family Formation: Differing Patterns
Ulla Björnberg, Stefán Ólafsson and Guony Björk Eydal
12. Working Their Way Out of Poverty? Lone Mothers in Policies and Labour Markets
Anne Skevik
13. Family Poverty in the European Union
Veli-Matti Ritakallio and Jonathan Bradshaw
14. Gender Equity and Time Use: How Do Mothers and Fathers Spend Their Time?
Naomi Finch
15. Conclusions
Ulla Bjornberg and Jonathan Bradshaw
Index
Foreword
1. Introduction
Jonathan Bradshaw and Aksel Hatland
2. Family Change
Naomi Finch
3. The Parental Employment Context
Emese Mayhew
4. State Recognition of New Family Forms?
Cecilie Wehner and Peter Abrahamson
5. Parental Rights and Obligations
Aksel Hatland and Emese Mayhew
6. Family Benefit Packages
Jonathan Bradshaw and Emese Mayhew
7. Childcare and Parental Leave
Naomi Finch
8. Fertility Rates in Europe: The Influence of Policy, Economy and Culture
Arieke Rijken
9. First Births: A Comparative Study of the Patterns of Transition to Parenthood in Europe
Katja Forssén and Veli-Matti Ritakallio
10. Men and (Their) Families: Comparative Perspectives on Men’s Roles and Attitudes Towards Family Formation
Trudie Knijn, Ilona Ostner and Christoph Schmitt
11. Education, Employment and Family Formation: Differing Patterns
Ulla Björnberg, Stefán Ólafsson and Guony Björk Eydal
12. Working Their Way Out of Poverty? Lone Mothers in Policies and Labour Markets
Anne Skevik
13. Family Poverty in the European Union
Veli-Matti Ritakallio and Jonathan Bradshaw
14. Gender Equity and Time Use: How Do Mothers and Fathers Spend Their Time?
Naomi Finch
15. Conclusions
Ulla Bjornberg and Jonathan Bradshaw
Index
