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Work–Family Articulation Policies in Portugal and Gender Equality: Advances and Challenges

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  • Susana Ramalho Marques

    (SOCIUS—Center for Research in Economic and Organizational Sociology, Lisbon School of Economics & Management, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua do Quelhas 6, 1200-781 Lisboa, Portugal
    CSG—Research in Social Sciences and Management, Lisbon School of Economics & Management, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua do Quelhas 6, 1200-781 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Sara Falcão Casaca

    (SOCIUS—Center for Research in Economic and Organizational Sociology, Lisbon School of Economics & Management, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua do Quelhas 6, 1200-781 Lisboa, Portugal
    CSG—Research in Social Sciences and Management, Lisbon School of Economics & Management, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua do Quelhas 6, 1200-781 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Manuela Arcanjo

    (SOCIUS—Center for Research in Economic and Organizational Sociology, Lisbon School of Economics & Management, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua do Quelhas 6, 1200-781 Lisboa, Portugal
    CSG—Research in Social Sciences and Management, Lisbon School of Economics & Management, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua do Quelhas 6, 1200-781 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

Portugal has been described as a singular case in terms of the participation of women in the labour market and work–life balance policies. Unlike the other so-called Southern European countries, where a belated and somewhat slower move away from the male breadwinner model has been found, Portugal stands out from the other EU member states with its relatively high rate of female employment and the prevalence of the dual-earner model based on continuous and fundamentally full-time employment. Moreover, the “early return to full-time work and a gender equality oriented model” calls for a separate analysis of this country’s case. In addition to providing a comprehensive overview of the singularities of Portugal’s employment patterns and work–family articulation policies, this article substantially adds to the existing literature by bringing new analytical angles to the debate. The intention is therefore to shed light on the political discourses that fuelled the policy debate throughout the three decades following Portugal’s transition to democracy, up until the latest and most decisive policy changes. This article also examines the key social actors’ views about the political process sustaining the development of policies in this area and identifies the major players promoting the most progressive legislative advances in the country.

Suggested Citation

  • Susana Ramalho Marques & Sara Falcão Casaca & Manuela Arcanjo, 2021. "Work–Family Articulation Policies in Portugal and Gender Equality: Advances and Challenges," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-22, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:10:y:2021:i:4:p:119-:d:524453
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tindara ADDABBO & Amélia BASTOS & Sara Falcão CASACA & Nata DUVVURY & Áine NÍ LÉIME, 2015. "Gender and labour in times of austerity: Ireland, Italy and Portugal in comparative perspective," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 154(4), pages 449-473, December.
    2. Lohmann, Henning & Zagel, Hannah, 2016. "Family policy in comparative perspective: the concepts and measurement of familization and defamilization," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 26(1), pages 48-65.
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    4. Esping-Andersen, Gosta, 1999. "Social Foundations of Postindustrial Economies," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198742005.
    5. Manuela Arcanjo, 2006. "Ideal (and Real) Types of Welfare State," Working Papers Department of Economics 2006/06, ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, Department of Economics, Universidade de Lisboa.
    6. 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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