Når omsorgsgapet skal dekkes: Islandske foreldres kjønnede omsorgsstrategier

Abstract

Title: Bridging the child care gap: Icelandic parents’ gendered packaging strategies Abstract: In the time period between 2000 and 2003 Iceland put into action what has been known as a gender equal parental leave system. But despite a relatively good day care provision Icelandic parents still need to bridge a care gap between the parental leave and available day care. Using a sample of qualitative interviews with 14 Icelandic couples this paper shows that the bridging of the care gap results in gendered patterns where mothers takes a longer leave with reduced income, and fathers make use of their ear marked paternal leave. I apply the concept of strategies when presenting the way these parents arrange for the care of their small children.

Keywords

• Child care gap
• Parental leave
• Gender
• Strategies
• Family policy