Mystery of Mothers on the Labour Market. Comparison of the Differences in Labour Market Participation of Married Mothers with Small Children in Germany and Finland during the 1990´s.
VAN GERVEN, MINNA (2001)
VAN GERVEN, MINNA
2001
Sosiaalipolitiikka - Social Policy
Yhteiskuntatieteellinen tiedekunta - Faculty of Social Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2001-12-05
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:uta-1-10216
https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:uta-1-10216
Sisällysluettelo
1. INTRODUCTION________________________________________________1 2. THE DIFFERENCE IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF EUROPEAN MOTHERS________3 3. THE OUTLINE OF THE RESEARCH_________________________________7 4. TWO DIFFERENT THEORETICAL APPROACHES_______________________11 4.1 Theorising the welfare state______________________________11 4.2 Gender arrangement approach_______________________________16 5. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND DATA______________________________23 6. WORKING MOTHERS IN GERMANY AND FINLAND_____________________27 6.1 Employment system of mothers in Germany___________________28 6.2 Employment system of mothers in Finland___________________36 6.3 Differences in employment system of mothers in Germany and Finland___________________________________________________43 7. INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS AS EXPLANATORY FACTORS______________50 7.1 Family as an institution__________________________________50 7.2 Welfare states____________________________________________58 7.3 Family policies___________________________________________64 7.4 Labour market_____________________________________________75 7.5 Institutional elements as explanation for cross-national comparison________________________________________________79 8. CULTURAL MODELS OF MOTHERHOOD AND EMPLOYMENT_______________80 9. MYSTERY OF THE MOTHERS ON THE LABOUR MARKET________________86 Bibliography__________________________________________________92
Tiivistelmä
The aim of the study is to view and explain the differences in the labour market participation of mothers of young children during the 1990's in Germany and Finland. The analysis is based on cross-national comparison of the labour market participation of the mothers during the period while the children are still very young (0-3 years) in two different countries.
In order to explain the societal differences in labour market participation of women in Germany and Finland two different theoretical approaches are used: the welfare state regime models and gender arrangement approaches. The research method of cross-national comparison is used viewing two European countries. The empirical part of the research consists of existing studies and literature in the field of social research as well the cross-national statistical description used so far as it is possible on the basis of secondary data.
The cross-national statistical analysis done here indicates that the differences in labour market participation of married mothers with small children in Germany and Finland is still quite visible during the 1990's. The analysis shows that the labour market participation of German mothers often is disrupted during the period when the children are young. However, German mothers usually re-enter the labour market when the children go to school and often on a part-time basis. In contrast, the labour market participation of Finnish mothers seems to be relatively continuous even during the period when the children are small and even then often on a full-time basis.
This study seeks also answers to the cross-national differences. It views the institutional ele-ments, such as family, welfare state and family policies and labour market, whether they can ex-plain the international variations in labour market behaviour of mothers. The analysis finds out that these elements can partly contribute to explanation, however, not totally. The analysis has to include also the element of culture in order to fully understand the surroundings where the moth-ers perform and make decisions of their employment. The mystery of labour market participation differences of mothers can be solved after placing the institutional elements in a cultural context.
Key words: Cross-national comparison, gender, employment, welfare state, culture.
In order to explain the societal differences in labour market participation of women in Germany and Finland two different theoretical approaches are used: the welfare state regime models and gender arrangement approaches. The research method of cross-national comparison is used viewing two European countries. The empirical part of the research consists of existing studies and literature in the field of social research as well the cross-national statistical description used so far as it is possible on the basis of secondary data.
The cross-national statistical analysis done here indicates that the differences in labour market participation of married mothers with small children in Germany and Finland is still quite visible during the 1990's. The analysis shows that the labour market participation of German mothers often is disrupted during the period when the children are young. However, German mothers usually re-enter the labour market when the children go to school and often on a part-time basis. In contrast, the labour market participation of Finnish mothers seems to be relatively continuous even during the period when the children are small and even then often on a full-time basis.
This study seeks also answers to the cross-national differences. It views the institutional ele-ments, such as family, welfare state and family policies and labour market, whether they can ex-plain the international variations in labour market behaviour of mothers. The analysis finds out that these elements can partly contribute to explanation, however, not totally. The analysis has to include also the element of culture in order to fully understand the surroundings where the moth-ers perform and make decisions of their employment. The mystery of labour market participation differences of mothers can be solved after placing the institutional elements in a cultural context.
Key words: Cross-national comparison, gender, employment, welfare state, culture.