Public attitudes and gender policy regimes: Coherence and stability in hard times – J. Guo and N. Gilbert

Résumé du document

This text is an article written which was written last year by two scholars, Jing Guo and Neil Gilbert, in the Journal of Sociology and Social welfare. In this article, they compare the social policies implemented by governments in Europe to increase gender equality and the attitudes of citizens toward gender equality in terms of access to labour market and family life. Their aim is to show that generally, there is a relation of coherence between both attitudes (on the part of governments and on the part of the population).

This article studies such relationship in the current context of economic crisis that we are currently going through. This is, in my opinion, one of the strengths of this article: it is recent so it is difficult to call into question its suitability. This article is well-presented, in a linear approach which makes easier to understand the point the authors want to make.

First, the authors explain that typologies have already been elaborated to compare welfare regimes in Europe but they did not focus enough on the importance of gender equality. For instance, Esping-Andersen identified three welfare regimes (Social democratic, conservative and liberal) but his approach drew on income transfer for male breadwinners.

The feminist dimension was brought by Sainsbury, in order to understand gender inequalities and variations in terms of social policies across Europe. For example, he explained that Scandinavia was dual-breadwinner model which facilitate full employment to both men and women. The first important part of the article is a summary of gender policy typologies already elaborated in alternative to the first one created by Esping-Andersen. The authors consider there are three main typologies which overlap each other.

The first one was made by Lewis who considered we could distinguish countries according to their breadwinner model. First, some countries such as Great-Britain have a strong male-breadwinner model which does not ensure equal opportunities in gaining access to the labour market for men and women.

Extraits

[...] This point was the one which surprised me the most because the idea of a return to traditional values in hard times has often been highlighted, especially by politicians. In my opinion, this article is very interesting because it shows quite well the relationships between policies and attitudes of citizens toward gender equality. The authors underscored a corroboration of attitudes on the part of governments and on the part of citizens. In my opinion, it can be explained an influence of the government on public opinion, as the authors argued in their conclusion. [...]

[...] The authors consider there are three main typologies which overlap each other. The first one was made by Lewis who considered we could distinguish countries according to their breadwinner model. First, some countries such as Great-Britain have a strong male-breadwinner model which does not ensure equal opportunities in gaining access to the labour market for men and women. This system is based on part-time employment for women and limited childcare services for instance. The second model identified by Lewis is the modified male-breadwinner model (e.g. [...]

[...] Then, to see if the attitudes of citizens corroborate with gender policy typologies, the authors draw upon a study made in 2004 and 2008. A number of citizens of 13 countries had to say whether they agreed (strongly or not) or disagreed (strongly or not) with two statements. The first one was that ‘women should be prepared to cut down on paid work for the sake of the family' and the second one was that should have more rights to jobs than women when jobs are scarce'. [...]

[...] It can also be the effect of cultural differences which are fuelled by the citizens themselves. The position taken by the authors is relevant because they do not side with any of the model. In my mind, it is important not to criticize any model because it would not be egalitarian. By classifying these models in typologies, it is easier to understand the changes in neighbourhood countries which do not have the same culture. [...]

[...] Public attitudes and gender policy regimes: Coherence and stability in hard times J. Guo and N. Gilbert This text is an article written which was written last year by two scholars, Jing Guo and Neil Gilbert, in the Journal of Sociology and Social welfare. In this article, they compare the social policies implemented by governments in Europe to increase gender equality and the attitudes of citizens toward gender equality in terms of access to labour market and family life. Their aim is to show that generally, there is a relation of coherence between both attitudes (on the part of governments and on the part of the population). [...]