Abstract
This research project examines the role of the EU in regulating the determinants of the gendered care gap, thereby facilitating the normalization of equal sharing of domestic care duties and equal opportunities on the labour market. The gendered care gap refers to women on average earning less than their male counterparts, being more likely to hold part-time jobs or be overqualified for their functions and having less personal time. Meanwhile, men have less opportunity to take on care duties to the same degree as women due to discrimination and social stigma, and ultimately, domestic policy models and legislative approaches. In response, the EU has introduced the Work-Life Balance Directive which establishes minimum standards for paternity and parental leave and provides the right to request flexible work arrangements. This project seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework for evaluating the extent to which the Directive effectively has addressed the redistribution of care duties in domestic legislation and in practice. This entails the establishment of a typology of domestic legislative approaches towards the facilitation of equality in care sharing in Europe, allowing for cross-disciplinary dialogue on the matter, which currently is lacking. Furthermore, the identification of a typology would give insight into the effectiveness of the different models identified, and possibly detect the blueprint for legislative determinants of greater care sharing equality.
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