European Gender Regimes and Policies

Sevil Sümer is an Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Senior Researcher, Stein Rokkan Centre for Social Studies, University of Bergen, Norway.

• Preface, Sevil Sümer; Chapter 1 Introduction, Sevil Sümer; Chapter 2 Comparing Gender Regimes, Sevil Sümer; Chapter 3 The Scandinavian Gender Regime, Sevil Sümer; Chapter 4 Gender Policies in the European Union, Sevil Sümer; Chapter 5 Work–Family Reconciliation in Practice, Sevil Sümer; Chapter 6 Concluding Discussion, Sevil Sümer;

'As Sevil Sümer shows so admirably in this new book, politics matter crucially for the evolution of gender relations. European Gender Regimes offers a comprehensive and well-written survey of how women and men change the ways they parent, work and, not to forget, relate to one another across the European Continent, from Scandinavia to Southern Europe. Of special interest to many is undoubtedly her examination of how the EU influences gender relations in member countries. Its systematically comparative focus makes it a great book for upper-level university courses.' Gosta Esping-Andersen, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain 'Although limited to the study of European Union policy, the interconnections between changing gender relations, labour market relations and social policies are at the centre of the analysis presented by Sümer in her well argued book... the author enriches with her personal experience as a scholar and as a mother. This undoubtedly benefits the book by providing a passionate insight and strong intellectual bite, but above all, it permits her to shed light on the multidimensional social aspects of gender relations which are not defined only by the position women occupy in the labour market... a significant contribution to the political debate on our changing societies and a stimulus to raising awareness of the need for a wide ranging institutionalised set of policy reforms which can address the challenges and enhance the opportunities created by women's new roles. Without institutional changes, women's revolution will remain incomplete and our society risks becoming less equal.' Work, Employment and Society