Conclusion: Towards gender-egalitarian family policies

This book offers insight into the experience of women and men in families across the globe today. Gendered division of labour is evident in all countries examined in this volume, even in the Nordic countries, which are considered to be the most gender-equal. However, inequalities in employment, unpaid work, and family policies and practices are more noticeable in East Asian counties, where women continue to take more responsibility for childcare and domestic work. Gendered patterns of policy-use are also apparent, as women are more likely than men to avail of childcare leave policies. Developing more gender-responsive policies to encourage men’s involvement in care, together with a shift in organisational culture to allow men to adopt flexible working patterns, therefore will be crucial if the gender disparity arising from the negative impact of these factors on women’s career progression is to be eradicated.