The Politics of Care Work: Rethinking the Private and the Public The Politics of Care Work: Rethinking the Private and the Public. “Private troubles become public issues” C. Wright Mills   Professor Lise Widding Isaksen and Ph.D. Mariya Bikova, Department of Sociology, University of Bergen, Norway

The Global Gender Gap Index

Use of private cleaning services in Norway 4% of Norwegian households purchased cleaning serviecs in 2000 7% in 2007; 12% in 2010 Strong positive correlation between parents’ and especially mothers’ working time, level of education, income and number of children The use of private cleaning services is more common among: Families with more than one child Both parents have higher education Both parents have long education The household’s net income is at least 900,000 NOK Both parents work long hours (25% of the parents who work more than 40 hours a week and 27% of the parents who work more than 45 hours a week hire cleaners) Oslo and Akershus

‘Fake’ and ‘real’ gender equalities Gender equality can be done in a number of ways. A heated public debate in Norwegian newspapers and social media this winter, introduced new divisions and connections between local gender equality practices and international migration. ‘Real’ gender equality ‘Local’ gender equality practices are constructed as “the real thing” – according to accepted local social norms a ‘real’ gender equality consists of a 50 – 50 % sharing of care and housework between men and women, and both of them participate 100% in the labor market. ‘Fake’ gender equality A ‘fake’ gender equality practice is to outsource housework and cleaning to migrant women, and share only the most pleasant and enjoyable housework equally.

Gender equality in Norway ‘Professional women’s paradise’? Gender equality paradise? Generous and woman-friendly welfare state

‘Classed’ gender-equality practices ‘Classed’ parenting practices: Working-class Middle-class The ascetic middle-class Upper middle-class (business elite) A general middle –class (the in-between middle-class)