Mothers and fathers as parents and workers: family-friendly employment policies in an era of shifting identities

Abstract

This article considers what opportunities ‘family-friendly’ policies provide for mothers and fathers to (re)formulate and (re)negotiate their preferred ‘Parent’ and ‘Worker’ indentities. It argues that policies do not yet provide and effective space for the development of self-identities because, despite some progress, they fail to support the shifts that are occurring within a large number of families. The article examines relevant family-friendly employment policies and suggests what might facilitate a better approach, one that does reflect the shifting identities of mothers and fathers and is flexible enough to provide for a plurality of needs.

Keywords:

• mothers
• fathers
• worker
• parents
• family-friendly
• employment