Men in the work/family reconciliation discourse: the swallows that did not make a summer?

Abstract

This article focuses on one aspect of reconciliation policy and legislation that has often been overlooked, namely the role that men and, in particular, fathers play when it comes to family responsibilities and how EU policy and legislation have contributed to shaping it. It argues that men are an essential element of the work life balance debate that is crucial for the achievement of important EU policies, such as employment and gender equality. Meanwhile, fathers are increasingly willing to take an active part in their children’s upbringing. Despite a compelling argument and a fast-growing policy and academic debate, the legislator, both at domestic and EU level, appears to remain reluctant to address the role of fathers; as a result, fathers remain largely missing from the EU’s reconciliation policy and legislation. The few positive initiatives in this area remain the swallows that have not (yet) made a summer.

Keywords:

• fathers
• traditional ideology of fatherhood
• reconciliation policies
• caring responsibilities