Gender mainstreaming and frame analysis: A qualitative study of childcare policies in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay during Latin America's left turn

Abstract

This article analyzes how and to what extent gender equality perspectives mobilized by feminist actors have (re)designed childcare policy frames to address the sexual division of labor during the left turn in Latin America. Using the Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Europe (MAGEEQ) framework as the foundation for our study, we conducted qualitative case study research in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay by examining official documents. We also reviewed feminist literature and documents to access the positions adopted by the actors involved in the reframing process. We identified quite different results for gender mainstreaming in childcare policy: (1) Argentina—non‐occurrence; (2) Brazil—occurrence (reasonably marginalized); and (3) Uruguay—occurrence (fairly well embedded). We expect to contribute to the development of the MAGEEQ framework, particularly in terms of care policy investigations, and for adapting this framework to the Latin American context.

Social reproduction: Households, public policies, and alternative organizing

“…Finally, Marcondes, Farah and Alves's (2022) article, "Gender mainstreaming and frame analysis: A qualitative study of childcare policies in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay during Latin America's left turn", provides a rich interrogation of original source documents concerning national changes in childcare policies in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay during Latin America's political turn in the 1990s. Similar to the work of Hamilton and colleagues in this SI, this comparative study focuses on initiating and implementing public policies that help reconfigure social reproduction.…”

“…By examining how and to what extent the design and implementation of new childcare policies incorporated gender equality perspectives, the study finds quite different results across the three countries. The documents Marcondes et al (2022) analyze reveal a constant focus on gender equality in the design and implementation of policies only in Uruguay, where feminist actors remained central throughout the process. In Argentina, other leftist actors such as unions and educational groups countered gender equality frames with protectionist frames focusing on children and mothers, presenting mothers as the parent with "primary responsibility" for their children, leaving fathers essentially out of the new laws.…”

“…To reveal the dynamics between policies and inequalities, scholars could undertake longitudinal studies to monitor the evolution of policy impact over time and measure time‐linked changes in gender inequalities. Marcondes et al.’s findings (2022) point to the importance of examining language and framing of new policies and how political actors use self‐serving narratives to shape policy details, implementation, and public perceptions. Focusing on how public perception affects the use of policies could enrich our understanding of the complex interplay between public policies and social dynamics, and pave the way for changes in practice.…”