Authors: Janet C. Gornick and Marcia K. Meyers
Publication: Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis: Research and Practice. vol. 6, no. 3. pp. 251-273
Date: December 2004
Abstract:
American and European parents experience common problems but sharply different social policy supports. American advocates often argue that Europe’s work/family policies would benefit American families and mitigate gender inequality. Other observers argue that the US will never adopt European-style policies because they are inconsistent with American political culture and preferences, infeasible given demographic and labor market conditions, and have negative and costly consequences. This article assesses each of these arguments and concludes that the longer-term prospects for developing European-style work/family policy in the US are substantially greater than popular wisdom suggests.