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Female employment and elderly care: the role of care policies and culture in 21 European countries

Author

Listed:
  • Manuela Naldini

    (University of Turin and Collegio Carlo Alberto, Italy)

  • Emmanuele Pavolini

    (University of Macerata, Italy)

  • Cristina Solera

    (University of Turin, Italy)

Abstract

To what extent and in what ways do welfare state policies and cultural values affect the employment patterns of mid-life women with care responsibilities toward a frail parent? The study draws on Eurobarometer micro-data integrated with country-level information to respond to this question. Performing a multilevel analysis across 21 European countries, it considers macro factors that influence the decisions of mid-life women to give up or reduce paid work in order to care for a frail elderly parent. The results show that, while the overall level of expenditure on long-term care is not influential, settings characterized by limited formal care services, and strong norms with regard to intergenerational obligations, have a negative impact on women’s attachment to the labour market. Policies and cultural factors also influence the extent to which women are polarized: in more defamilialized countries, regardless of their level of education, female carers rarely reduce their level of employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Manuela Naldini & Emmanuele Pavolini & Cristina Solera, 2016. "Female employment and elderly care: the role of care policies and culture in 21 European countries," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 30(4), pages 607-630, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:30:y:2016:i:4:p:607-630
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017015625602
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bolin, K. & Lindgren, B. & Lundborg, P., 2008. "Your next of kin or your own career?: Caring and working among the 50+ of Europe," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 718-738, May.
    2. Laura Crespo, 2006. "Caring for Parents and Employment Status of European Mid-Life Women," Working Papers wp2006_0615, CEMFI.
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