Lone Mothers’ Repartnering Trajectories and Health: Does the Welfare Context Matter?

TitleLone Mothers’ Repartnering Trajectories and Health: Does the Welfare Context Matter?
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsRecksiedler, C, Bernardi, L
JournalJournal of Family Issues
Volume66
Number66
Pagination1-23
PublisherNCCR LIVES
Keywordswww2
Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between lone mothers’ repartnering trajectories and health in three distinct welfare contexts: the dual-earner, market-oriented, and general family policy model. Inspired by the resources and the crisis model, we apply mixture modelling for event-history analysis to the Harmonized Histories data. We uncover six distinct repartnering trajectories that vary with respect to the timing, type, and stability of higher-order unions for different cohorts of lone mothers. The few associations between repartnering trajectories and health differ systematically and significantly by welfare context. Lone mothers with some, yet unstable repartnering, reported better health in market-oriented contexts, compared to those living in general and dual-earner contexts. Market-oriented contexts were also those where unstable repartnering was more frequent. Overall, findings suggest that a less-generous welfare may encourage unstable, temporary repartnering out of economic need, while welfare contexts with more comprehensive family support allow for more stable repartnering choices.

URLhttps://www.lives-nccr.ch/sites/default/files/pdf/publication/lives_wp_66_recksiedler_bernardi_2018_3.pdf
DOI10.12682/lives.2296-1658.2018.66

Is there public support for a longer and more gender equal leave scheme in Switzerland?

TitleIs there public support for a longer and more gender equal leave scheme in Switzerland?
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsValarino, I
JournalLIVES Working Paper
Volume65
Pagination1-29
PublisherNCCR LIVES
Keywordsattitudes, gender equality, leave policies, policy preferences, Switzerland, welfare state
Abstract

Switzerland has a comparatively short and gendered leave scheme: paid maternity leave lasts 3,5 months and there are no statutory paternity or parental leaves. In the past decade this issue has received increased public and political attention and a popular initiative in favor of a 4-week paid paternity leave was successfully submitted and will be put to national vote. The present study addresses this highly topical issue by analyzing individuals’ attitudes toward three dimensions of leave policies (ideal leave length; gender division of leave; and leave financing system) and whether there is public support for a longer and more gender equal leave scheme in Switzerland. The study is based on 2013 MOSAiCH survey data, which is representative of the Swiss population aged 18 and over (N=1181).
Results show divided preferences regarding the ideal leave length, with about half of the sample wanting a leave that exceeds the current one (i.e., 5 months or more). This proportion rises to 68% among women under 50 years of age, suggesting that a gender and generational cleavage exists. Results show on the contrary a large consensus regarding gender division of leave preferences. About 80% of respondents consider that fathers should at least take part of the leave; and among them, about half consider they should share it equally. Logistic regression analyses show that institutional and cultural factors, as well as individuals’ life course stage and values are associated with wanting a longer and a more gender equal leave scheme. The article concludes on the implications of the results, in the wake of a national vote on paid paternity leave implementation.

DOI10.12682/lives.2296-1658.2018.65