The Impact of Policy on Gender Roles

Introduction

- Direct policies: policies aimed at changing or reinforcing gender roles, e.g shared parental leave.

- Indirect policies: policies that may not have intended to impact on gender roles but have had a subsequent impact, e.g closure of Sure Start centres.

Impact of Policy on Gender Roles

- Maternity and paternity leave.

- Increased divorce and negotiated family.

- Availability of childcare.

- Increased career opportunities.

Maternity and Paternity Leave

- 9 months paid maternity leave (12 months total) reinforces the traditional role of the female as the primary caregiver.

- Introduction of shared paternity leave acknowledges the role of the father in a child's life and allows parents to split parental leave.

- Both partners can have to 13 weeks off in the first 5…