Comprehensive gender equality remains an unfulfilled goal in many European countries, in spite of important developments and challenges to the traditional gendered division of labour. This volume reviews recent advances of gender policies in different countries in the European Union, together with recent empirical data on gender relations in the labour market and within families. It adopts an international and interdisciplinary perspective through its use of qualitative and quantitative data, and a comprehensive theoretical framework. Particular attention is paid to the latest developments in the field of gender equality in different Scandinavian countries - countries which are customarily seen as forerunners in the area. The title culminates with an in-depth discussion on the possibility of converging alternate gender policy regimes in Europe.

Comprehensive gender equality remains an unfulfilled goal in many European countries, in spite of important developments and challenges to social roles. This volume reviews recent advances of gender policies in different countries in the European Union, together with recent empirical data on gender relations in the labour market and within families. It adopts an international and interdisciplinary perspective through its use of qualitative and quantitative data, and a comprehensive theoretical framework.

1. Introduction 2. Comparing gender regimes: a theoretical framework 3. The Scandinavian gender regime: myth or reality? 4. Gender policies in the european union 5. Work-Family reconciliation in practice 6. Concluding Discussion: Towards a European gender regime?