The Balancing Act of Working Mothers and Caring Fathers : Impact of Family Policy on Egalitarianism in Families in Western Democracies / by Meret Lütolf.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lütolf, Meret, Author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Family policy.

Children, Youth and Family Policy.

Local Subjects:

Children, Youth and Family Policy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (XVII, 220 p. 21 illus., 4 illus. in color.)

Edition:

1st ed. 2025.

Place of Publication:

Wiesbaden : Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden : Imprint: Springer VS, 2025.

Summary:

This Open-Access-book explores how egalitarian parental leave policies can support a more balanced division of paid work and caregiving. Introducing a novel analysis grid and a unique dataset, Meret Lütolf examines parental leave policies in five countries – United States, Switzerland, Germany, Finland, and Sweden – revealing how fully paid, non-transferable leave can promote gender-neutral caregiving roles. Key findings highlight the connection between longer paternal leave and a more equal distribution of unpaid work, along with fathers’ willingness to reduce paid work hours in favor of caregiving. By combining multiple research methods, the study links policy intentions with real-life outcomes and identifies feasible reforms, including full wage replacement, that can enhance egalitarianism without raising policy costs. Offering valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and advocates, this book demonstrates how parental leave policies can contribute to more equal family dynamics and address broader gender inequalities in society. About the author Dr. Meret Lütolf is a political scientist and works as a research associate at the Institute of Political Science at the University of Bern, Switzerland. The focus of her research and teaching lies in the comparative analysis of family policies, with a particular emphasis on parental leave policies, gendered work patterns and time use, and social politics in a broader sense. .

Contents:

INTRODUCTION

THEORY

RESEARCH DESIGN

EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

CONCLUSION.

ISBN:

9783658477165

3658477164