Working Parents and the Welfare State

The mass entry of mothers into the labour market, the decline of the male breadwinner norm and the rise of the dual-earner family have all profoundly transformed the societies of the Western industrialised world. How do welfare states approach the reconciliation of paid work with the responsibilities for the care of young children? Arnlaug Leira's timely book examines the politicising of childcare: childcare is reconceptualised as a joint venture of parents and the welfare state, and as an entitlement or social right of working parents. Drawing upon new empirical material from Scandinavia, Leira's thoughtful analysis centres on the interplay of family change and policy reform. While motherhood change to include employment has generally preceded policy reform, the political promotion of fathercare has preceded large-scale change to fatherhood. Fathers less than mothers use the right to be carers, and gender-neutral childcare policies usually reinforce the gendered division of work and welfare.<BR>