Gender in the Welfare State

Abstract

Gender relations—embodied in the sexual division of labor, compulsory heterosexuality, gendered forms of citizenship and political participation, ideologies of masculinity and femininity, and the like—profoundly shape the character of welfare states. Likewise, the institutions of social provision—the set of social assistance and social insurance programs and universal citizenship entitlements to which we refer as “the welfare state” —affect gender relations. Until recently, two broad approaches to gender relations and welfare states predominated: one which saw states contributing to the social reproduction of gender hierarchies, and a second which saw states having an ameliorative impact on gender inequality. More recently, two new strands of research have emerged emphasizing the variation in the effects of social policies on gender.

Retrenchments in Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Wage Inequality: Longitudinal Evidence from the Netherlands, 1985-2000

“…During the first retrenchments women experience larger wage penalties compared with men affected by the same changes. These findings provide support for theoretical models that stress the unintended consequences of welfare state interventions that inhibit women's labour force participation, occupational achievement, and earning capacities (e.g., Orloff, 1996;Misra and Akins, 1998;Mandel and Semyonov, 2006).…”

Satisfaction with pregnancy and birth services: The quality of maternity care services as experienced by women

“…Western women at the beginning of the twenty-first century are more independent, have acquired greater control over their bodies and can decide when and how many children they wish to have (Orloff, 1996). However, when they become pregnant they develop a strong dependence on the healthcare system: technology and the presence and input of health professionals become indispensable features in order to reduce the anxiety provoked by the perceived lack of confidence in their ability as mothers (Georgsson Öhman et al, 2007).…”

Cause and effects of female labour force participation in local welfare systems

“…There has been particular focus on public childcare facilities for mothers with young children (Orloff 1996;Leira 2006;Lister 2009), while care obligations seem to have a limited impact on the decisions made by older women (Frericks and Meier 2012). However, recent research has further shown that care policies tie in with immigration policies, as female immigrants from poorer countries are important as potential carers in some European countries (Pfau-Effinger et al 2009).…”