Suchergebnisse

Abstract This study aims to advance the understanding of drivers of fathers' parental leave rights—a new political field and a main area of leave policy debate. Theoretically informed by the policy feedback literature, this case study of father quota policy in Norway demonstrates how conflicting political feedback processes over a quarter of a century, reflected in reforms by shifting government coalitions, have sustained tensions over the policy. The polarized public debate following an extension in the father quota in 2018 suggests that countermobilization via social media may play a new role in magnifying conflict and destabilizing post-reform processes.

High levels of gender segregation in Scandinavian labour markets have been referred to as a paradox in view of these countries' commitment to gender equality and advancements in other areas. The status of gender segregation in these welfare states is addressed here: Are they (still) the most gender segregated? What processes drive (de)segregation? Relatively fast occupational desegregation in recent years has moved Denmark, Norway and Sweden from the group of highly to moderately gender segregated labour markets, and women's share of management positions is rising. Empirical case studies selected to shed light on (de)segregation processes are discussed in relation to two presently influential theoretical theses – 'gender essentialism' and the 'welfare state paradox'. Findings suggest the existence of gender essentialist ideas, but the weakening of such ideas is likely to be a main driver of desegregation. Findings on the role of the public sector and work–family policy in segregation processes are somewhat conflicting.

The social revolutions connected to postindustrialism are altering the landscape of social politics, affecting both the content and normative justification of policy reform. The changing ideational foundation of care policy is addressed in this case-study of Norway. The study examines the policy rationales of three major reforms in the 1990s concerning parents' rights to time to care, by drawing on policy documents and parliamentary debates. A conceptual 'trichotomy' of key policy rationales - equality, recognition and choice - informs the empirical analysis. Analysed in context, the three reforms illustrate the multifaceted blend of 'old' and 'new' policy justifications, expanding the 'political grammar' of care policies.