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Challenges in Nordic Childcare Policies: With Special Reference to Finland

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  • Mutsuko TAKAHASHI

    (Kibi International University, Japan)

Abstract

This article studies the challenges in the development of childcare policies in Nordic societies by focusing on Finland, where childcare schemes with multiple alternatives have been developed since the mid-1980s. In Finland, currently, parents with small children under three years of age can decide to either stay at home and tend to their children as long as possible or resume work by making use of child day care services provided by municipalities and private service providers. However, such a Finnish solution faces certain challenges in relation to issues pertaining to social justice for adult and young citizens. This article argues that developing childcare policies primarily for the convenience of adult citizens sometimes contradicts the entitlements of small children.

Suggested Citation

  • Mutsuko TAKAHASHI, 2008. "Challenges in Nordic Childcare Policies: With Special Reference to Finland," The Journal of Comparative Economic Studies (JCES), The Japanese Society for Comparative Economic Studies (JSCES), vol. 4, pages 41-55, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:cos:epaper:v:4:y:2008:p:41-55
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    File URL: http://www.kier.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~ces/jces/04_jces_2008/05_Takahashi.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. World Bank & International Finance Corporation, 2006. "Doing Business in 2006 : Creating Jobs," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 7421.
    2. Esping-Andersen, Gosta, 1999. "Social Foundations of Postindustrial Economies," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198742005.
    3. Walter Korpi, 2000. "Faces of Inequality: Gender, Class and Patterns of Inequalities in Different Types of Welfare States," LIS Working papers 224, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    childcare policy; Nordic welfare state; Finland;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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