Summary Report on National Debates on the Reconciliation of Family and Employment, from the EU Framework V project Gender, Parenthood and the Changing European Workplace (Transitions).

This report provides an overview of national debates on work and family, based on national researchers analysis of discourses within the media, government, employers and trade union, in the eight participating countries, during the period of the Transitions research project (2003-5).We were interested in what is on the political and social agenda in each country, what is driving change in policies and practices, and what are the public and media reactions to these debates – for example about fertility concerns, disability, parental leaves, funding for childcare, and changing gender role expectations. This report is part of the Context Mapping workpackage (WP3).The Context Mapping report (Transitions Research Report #1) aimed to provide a broad outline of the principle economic, social and demographic characteristics of the eight participating countries.

With contributions from the other members of the Transitions team.