Family Policies and Policies for Gender Equality in the Nordic Societies: An Analysis Using the Family Models

Abstract

This paper is a literature review studying how family policies and policies for gender equality in the Nordic countries move towards a specific family model. The focus of this paper is how family models have helped in improving gender equality in Nordic societies, and how this has led to the move away from the male breadwinner model to the dual earner family model. Family policies from Norway, Sweden and Denmark were investigated. This study relied on secondary sources of data as a point of departure in the comparative analysis of family models. Journal articles, books, media reports and statistical reports were reviewed in analysing data for the study. Within the Nordic countries, family policies constitute an important component of the welfare state policies. These countries are known for their extensive support for families with children through policies aiming to reconcile work and family life, to share paid and unpaid work more equally between men and women, and to provide solutions that reflect the interest of the child. Findings show that deliberate government policies towards families have led to promoting gender equality and a move towards a dual earner family model.