The ability to support families with children is of great concern for many countries in the world. Many studies on family policy regimens have focused on the effect of women equality; and found that dual – earner regimens, wherein the husband and wife both work and care for the child have been the most contributive to promoting women in the work place (Engster & Stensöta, 2011). Sweden is considered one of the most “women – friendly” countries in the world (Nyberg, 2000). It supports not only women with children in committed relationships, but also single women, by providing them a high quality form of child care (Nyberg, 2000).
The dual – earner regimes found in Sweden and other Nordic countries offer high levels of support, such as paid leave, high quality child care, and support women returning to the working system (Engster & Stensöta, 2011). In a study conducted by Engster & Stensota (2011), it was found that the dual – earner regimes were significantly associated with lower levels of child poverty and reduced levels of child mortality. In contrast the study showed that this family policy showed little relationship to the educational achievement of the child; however the children in these families tended to remain in school longer and have a higher educational attainment.
Women in the work place is deep routed in Sweden’s culture, and therefore the system has evolved to help in caring for children of working mothers whether it be single mothers or mothers in families. Historically, Sweden was a poor country and the countries population worked primarily on farms; this included not only men but women too, and therefore spent time away from their children, but still the home was on the farm and therefore the family could take of the child (Nyberg, 2000). As the industrial revolution and urbanization came to Sweden, women moved their work and careers away from the home, and therefore the need for assistance became more apparent.
Proper execution of family policy is very important for the proper upbringing of the child (Engster & Stensöta, 2011). By promoting women’s employment in the workforce during the early years of their child’s lives, the dual – earner regimen leads to better employment opportunities and a higher earning power over the course of the child’s youth, and as stated previously this leads to a “healthier” child by reducing childhood poverty and reducing the levels of childhood mortality. It was also noted in the study performed by Engster & Stensöta (2011) found that overall family support such as, paid parenting leave, public child care, and family cash and tax benefits, further contributed to the reduction in the numbers of childhood poverty and mortality. In Sweden, the paid parental leave policy started in 1974 with giving parents the right to leave the place of their employment for 180 days when the child was born or adopted, and they parent was compensated with 90% of their gross earnings (Nyberg, 2000). Nowadays paid leave is even better with the parent receiving 360 days at 80% of gross earnings; included in this policy is the fact that the parent can work part time until the child is 8 years of age, and a reduction in hours of the parent working only 30 hours/ week until the child is 12 years old (Nyberg, 2000).
Overall public support and the presence of the dual – earner regimes leads to higher numbers of children’s material well – being, health, and level of education. Sweden seems to have the system in place the both supports women in the work force, which promotes this dual – earner regime, but also effectively supports single mothers so that they too are able to support their children and provide for them a healthy and happy home.
Works Cited
Nyberg, A., 2000. From foster mothers to child care centers: A history of working mothers and child care in Sweden. Feminist Economics. 6(1) 5-20
Engsterm D., & Stensöta, H., 2011. Do family policy regimes matter for children’s well being? Social Politics 18(1)
