Routledge Development of Culture, Welfare States and Women's Employment in Europe

This refreshing volume introduces a theory for explaining cross-national differences in the social practice of women (and men) in the areas of family and employment. This provides a theoretical framework for the ensuing comprehensive cross-national analysis of the degree and forms of labour market integration of women in three European countries - Finland, West Germany and the Netherlands - from the 1950s until 2000. Cross-national differences are explained with a focus on cultural change and the development of welfare state, labour markets, the family and social movements. It is evident that change took place along different development paths that were based on deep-rooted historical differences in the cultural ideals of the family. Such historical differences and their explanations also form part of the analysis. The results of this survey contribute to the further development of cross-national sociology on social change, social and gender inequality, welfare state, labour markets and family structures. Review ’This book is truly revolutionary. It shows how comparative differences in women's labour force participation result from deep-seated features at the level of social cultures, in how understandings of motherhood, childhood, gendered divisions of labour and family are represented in how women and men behave. This means we can no longer see social policy as simply providing financial incentives or support; it both reflects and must intervene on a much wider and deeper social canvas.’ Professor Simon Duncan, University of Bradford, UK ’Pfau-Effinger’s book boldly steps up to consider the question of how culture matters for women's employment. Moreover, her answers are both theoretical and empirical as she develops a theoretical framework and then applies it to three European societies. In both respects, this book makes an important contribution to the sociology of gender and work.’ International Sociology Review of Books ’Well-researched and clearly written, in spite of the complexity of the task at hand, Development of Culture, Welfare States and Women’s Employment in Europe deserves to be of interest to academic researchers and policy makers, facilitating greater understanding of the factors inhibiting and generating gender, and wider, societal transformations.’ Industrial Relations Journal ’This book makes a useful new contribution to understanding the complex and interrelated factors that influence individual decisions around models of combining paid and unpaid work in twenty-first century western societies.’ Women in Management Review '... the book offers a carefully argued, researched contruibution to gendered debates... The wealth of information it provides ensures access to a considerable amount of background reading.' European Journal of Social Work Vol 10 no 4, December 2007 'This book makes a useful new contribution to understanding the complex and interrelated factors that influence individual decisions around models of combining p