Gender and Class: Comparing the Situation of Single-Parent Households in Seven European Countries

Abstract

This article centres on the intersection of the dimensions of class and gender Its main goal is to present an overview of the kinds of constraints and opportunities provided by the combinations of different policy tools for various income profiles in Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Adopting a focus on single parents, differences within this group are identified by using disposable income micro-simulations for different household profiles in applying the capabilities approach, giving special attention to the level of agency over choices in work-life balance. In order to measure the class effects of policy mixes, this article proposes an alternative approach to the comparative analysis of family support. It adopts a particular focus on single-parent families. (1) for four different income profiles: at levels of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 times the average wage; (2) for in-work and out-of-work situations; and (3) by using a tax-benefit model, which analyses gross income from work along with social benefits (unemployment insurance benefits, housing benefits, child benefits, and child care subsidies) minus tax, mandatory social contributions, housing costs and childcare fees. The adopted unit of stylised comparison is a single-parent family with a child aged three, with the assumption that the family uses formal childcare.

Keywords

capabilities family policy gender Nordic model single parents

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