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Economic Sociology

Photo: UHH/Dingler

Prof. Dr. Katharina Zimmermann

Gender equality in social investment family policies

Equal participation of men and women in the labour market is a normatively and economically desirable goal in the social investment paradigm, which is to be achieved especially by relieving women of care work - usually by investing in childcare (Hemerijck 2015). However, the social investment approach is also criticised for its one-sided, primarily labour market-oriented view of gender equality (Saraceno 2015). Policy instruments that primarily address women as bearers of the main responsibility for family matters exclude the problem of an unequal distribution of care work within the family. Care Gaps remain and will remain private problems that (can) have serious effects on the burdens and labour market opportunities of women.

Empirical findings on the practical orientation of social investment family policy with regard to the relationship between gainful employment and (intra-family) care work are, however, still limited. Against this background, this project examines how social-investment policies address gender justice and what role the care gap plays.

The project takes place within the framework of the research network "Sorgetransformationen".

Involved partners: Katharina Zimmermann, Laura Lüth, Merle Koch

Related publications and presentations:

  • Laura Lüth: Activating the Family – Family Models in Active Social Citizenship. Presentation at IPPA 2021, Barcelona 08.07.2021.
  • Zimmermann, Katharina; Chung, Heejung; Heuer, Jan-Ocko (2018): Attitudes towards education, social investment and the labour market. In: Taylor-Gooby, Peter; Leruth, Benjamin (Hrsg.): Attitudes, aspirations and welfare: Social policy directions in changing times. Palgrave Macmillan: 243-272.
  • Rakar, Tatjana; Chung, Heejung; Schøyen, Mi Ah; Zimmermann, Katharina; Filipovič Hrast, Maša: „Conditionality and family policy: social rights vs. social investment.” Presentation at 2019 ESPAnet Conference in Stockholm (04.-07.09.2019)