Gendering family policies in post-communist Europe : a historical-institutional analysis / Steven Saxonberg.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Saxonberg, Steven, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Families--Europe, Central--History.

Families.

Family policy--Europe, Central--History.

Family policy.

Family policy--Europe, Western--History.

Sex role--Political aspects--Europe, Central--History.

Sex role.

Sex role--Political aspects--Europe, Western--History.

Sex role--Political aspects.

History.

Western Europe.

Central Europe.

Physical Description:

ix, 292 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan, 2014.

Summary:

Through the use of a historical-institutional perspective, this detailed and compelling study compares and contrasts the family policies of post-communist Central and Eastern Europe, with those in Western Europe. With particular reference to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, this book explores family policies in post-communist Europe and analyzes how these policies have developed and how they have impacted on the gender relations in these countries. It does so by comparing these post-communist countries to three West European countries: Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, statistical analysis of international survey data as well as 100 frank interviews with key policymakers, public officials, civil society activists and directors of both public and private daycare centers from each of these countries, provide a much needed update on the state of gender equality in post-communist Central and Eastern Europe by providing empirical evidence on women's organizations, changes in public attitudes and the development of policies. It also contributes to the discourse on historical institutionalism and feminist institutionalism by exploring the interaction between institutional developments and the attitudes of policymakers, NGOs and society in general. As such this text is essential reading for students and scholars of gender, politics and social policies in Europe. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Introduction 1

2 The Transition in Central Europe Revisited 37

3 Historical-Institutional Development 72

4 The Influence of International Organizations 109

5 Institutional Framework 129

6 Attitudes of the Population 150

7 Strategies and Political Opportunities for Women's Organizations 174

8 Political Parties and Policymakers 214

9 Conclusion 249.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780230299955

0230299954

OCLC:

870285547