Convergence, continuity and contradictions: a cross-national comparative study of family policy in Sweden and the United Kingdom

Abstract: Family policy and its role in increasing female employment is a concern for national governments as well as supranational organisations such as the EU. The purpose of this thesis is to examine recent developments in family policy in Sweden and the UK, such as the introduction of a home care allowance in Sweden and proposals for flexible parental leave in the UK, to see whether there is policy convergence in the area of family policy between these two countries. Economic policy changes as promoted by international institutions have had consequences for national policy and it is therefore relevant to consider whether there are tendencies to policy convergence in the area of family policy. By using globalisation theories and Esping-Andersen’s typology of welfare regimes, recent changes in the UK and Sweden are analysed. The analysis shows that there are important ideological contradictions in terms of female employment in both countries. It is also found that the countries are path dependent to a certain extent but, at the same time, there are tendencies to convergence in line with EU and OECD recommendations in some areas. However, institutional welfare changes such as privatisation may also affect family policy, especially in the area of childcare, and pose further questions regarding the legitimacy of public welfare and the support for welfare programs.