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Social policy and family relations: Choices for change
Author(s) -
Gilbert Neil
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
international social security review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.349
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1468-246X
pISSN - 0020-871X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-246x.1994.tb00417.x
Subject(s) - social security , independence (probability theory) , division of labour , family life , social policy , gender equality , social change , economic independence , sociology , financial independence , economics , economic growth , political science , development economics , gender studies , law , statistics , mathematics , finance
This article examines the relationship between social security policies and the trend toward greater equality in family life. The declining birth rate and increasing labour‐force participation of women, among other factors, have altered the traditional division of labour in family life on which many social security policies were originally predicated. As the traditional guidelines dissolve, two schools of feminist thought suggest alternative ways that husbands and wives should divide their labour to fulfil domestic responsibilities. These perspectives on gender equality in family life are analysed in terms of their implications for social security policies. The merits of these approaches to policy are assessed in light of their impact on social choice, independence, self‐realization, and family stability.