The first Generations and Gender Survey in Finland was collected in 2021/2022 as a web-based survey. In addition to the standard GGS-questionnaire, the Finnish survey included two new modules: the Miller Instrument, which captures childbearing motivations, and Global uncertainties, which enquires about perceptions of future threats. To further advance research on family dynamics, data from GGS Finland is linked to administrative records. This allows researchers to explore employment and family trajectories until 2026. Analyses of core socio-demographic characteristics and well-established fertility indicators reveal that the sample, by and large, represents the target population.
PurposeThe purpose of this editorial is to examine sociological research on the possibilities and pitfalls of social policies for mothers' employment participation, and identify research gaps in the existing literature. The paper aims to focus mainly on the implications of parental leave schemes on mothers' employment participation.Design/methodology/approachThe editorial discusses the inconsistencies in the current sociological debate on the impact of social policies on mothers' employment.FindingsThe relationship between parental leave policies and women's participation in the work force is complex. The literature shows a disagreement about whether such policies mitigate family‐related career disadvantages, or in fact, contribute to gender inequality in the labour market. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between social policies and mothers' labour market participation, and national and cross‐national variation in the consequences of childbirth on women's labour market participation the editorial points at the several aspects that need to be investigated in greater depth by further research. The editorial emphasizes the necessity of conducting in‐depth international comparisons in order to account for between‐country variations as well as within‐country variations. Furthermore, the symbolic nature of family policy must not be neglected.Originality/valueThe editorial identifies research gaps to be addressed by further research.
Es gilt zunehmend als selbstverständlich und ist sozialpolitisch erwünscht, dass Frauen, die ihre Erwerbstätigkeit aufgrund wichtiger gesellschaftlicher Aufgaben, wie der Betreuung und Erziehung von Kindern sowie der Betreuung von Angehörigen, unterbrochen haben, einen Wiedereinstieg in den Arbeitsmarkt anstreben. Der Wunsch, wieder beruflich aktiv zu sein, trifft sich mit den Interessen der Wirtschaft. Denn schon heute ist in einigen Branchen ein höherer Bedarf an Fachkräften spürbar. Im Zuge des demographischen Wandels wird sich dieser noch verstärken. Der Beitrag analysiert die Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf in sieben europäischen Ländern (Dänemark, Deutschland, Frankreich, Finnland, Großbritannien, Schweden und die Schweiz). Der Beitrag untersucht Dauer und Gründe der Erwerbsunterbrechung, betrachtet die Erwerbsarrangements von Paaren und analysiert detailliert die subjektive Wahrnehmung der Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf in den sieben europäischen Ländern. Außerdem betrachtet der Beitrag die allgemeine Ausrichtung der Familienpolitik und die institutionellen Regelungen in diesen Ländern. (ICB2).
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze how employed women perceive the reconciliation of work and family life in Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, Great Britain, Sweden and Switzerland. The paper seeks to explore why women in certain countries are more successful in combining family responsibilities with gainful employment.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on data from the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) 2005, the questions are addressed by applying country specific linear regression analysis at the individual level, correlations at the country level as well as policy analysis.FindingsThe analysis shows that the most important factors influencing employed women's perception of the reconciliation are work load, the presence of children in the household and part‐time employment. In addition, the findings point at cross‐national differences. In countries where family policies focus on integrating men and women into the labour market, women rate the reconciliation of work and family life higher than in countries whose family policies aim at supporting the family.Research limitations/implicationsBy comparing seven European countries the paper shows that family policies are closely related to employed women's perceptions of the reconciliation. In order to understand the interaction between the individual perception and the institutional framework, the paper suggests that further research is needed on women's perceptions in each country.Originality/valueThe paper explores how employed women perceive the reconciliation of work and family life in seven European countries and explains the differences by means of family policies.
This study explores the associations between receiving social support from network members other than individuals' parents and fertility intentions in Finland. It additionally examines whether support from others can compensate for the lack of parental support or complement their support. Using logistic regression models applied to Generations and Gender Survey (GGS) data on individuals aged 18–45 years enriched with administrative registers, we found that Finns who received instrumental support from others were more likely to intend to have a child. Support from others did not compensate for, nor complement, a lack of parental support or parental geographic remoteness. However, among men with at least one parent deceased or unknown, those receiving emotional support from others were more likely to intend to have a child within three years (and as likely as individuals with both parents alive) than those not receiving this support, suggesting a compensatory mechanism.
In Germany, the structuring principle connecting the educational system and the labour market is occupations. In theory, this occupational principle is gender-neutral, because both women and men are channelled into jobs according to the occupations for which they are trained. In practice, however, it means that patterns of occupational sex segregation in the education system are reproduced in the labour market. As a consequence, occupational sex segregation has important consequences for the subsequent employment biographies and life courses of women and men. In this chapter, we study the relevance of occupational sex segregation for the (re-)production of gender inequalities in the German labour market. More specifically, we examine long-term trends in occupational sex segregation, how occupational sex segregation is causally linked to other occupational characteristics, how these occupational characteristics translate into gender inequalities regarding non-monetary labour market outcomes, and how these occupational characteristics affect the gender wage gap.
