Adult Worker Model Typologies: Examining Work-Family Policies in Fifteen European Countries

Area of Science:

• Social Policy
• Gender Studies
• Labor Economics

Background:

• Government policies aim to improve women's work and family life.
• The supported adult worker model encourages women's formal employment and care support.
• Existing policies often substitute the male-breadwinner model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of the supported adult worker model in reducing the gender employment gap.
• To evaluate the model's role in increasing women's resources and control over work and family life.
• To analyze comparative data from 15 countries.

Main Methods:

• Development of an 'input adult worker model typology'.
• Development of an 'output adult worker model typology'.
• Cluster analysis of comparative data from 15 countries.

Main Results:

• The supported adult worker model's impact on reducing the gender employment gap is often overestimated.
• The model has limited success in increasing women's control over their lives across most studied countries.
• Promoting women's welfare faces significant challenges even with this policy model.

Conclusions:

• The supported adult worker model is not a panacea for gender inequality in employment and work-life control.
• Policy interventions need to address more complex factors influencing women's welfare.
• Alternative or complementary strategies are necessary to achieve substantial progress.