Demography, gender and life-cycle. Catching up to reality Jane Jenson Université de Montréal prepared for: Global Europe - Social Europe. Debate on the future of the European Social Model Bruxelles, 5 December 2006 Canada Research Chair in Citizenship and Governance

Argument in brief The EU’s commitment to equal opportunities between women and men is long-standing and has fostered major change –but significant inequalities and challenges remain catch up to realityThere are challenges because new social risks create new realities. Social models must catch up to reality… Two of the most challenging and interconnected new realities –Altered demography – ageing society and birth rate –Shifting patterns of gender inequalities in income security Gender relations provide a window into where catching up is needed in order to achieve, among others, the goal of equal opportunities.

Demographic reality 1: Patterns of social care in an ageing society Reality a huge social achievement, …but new needs now exist Almost 1 in 3 Europeans is providing informal care to another adult. –With consequences for their own economic autonomy in the present and future –With consequences for their own health and well-being Household services a significant source of – not very good – jobs expansion –Elder care, domestic services (and child care) 90% female –Pay rates hugely substandard. Challenge is achieving equality for the elderly AND well-being of their – overwhelmingly – female and – often new immigrant – carers in the face of this new reality. Can not be left simply to the market or to the family…

Catching up to the reality of fewer children – demographic reality 2

Challenge - what to do about falling fertility rates micro – macro dilemma Historic reduction in social risk Questions about societal sustainability One “prescription” - attention to the “fertility gap” especially by attention to reconciling work and family in the early years But the evidence does not support this “simple” solution

Reality check - there is no correlation between fertility rates and quality of parental leaves

Reality check – the correlation between fertility and available early childhood services is weak

Europeans tell another story about their reality

It’s the labour market… The reality – stubborn labour market inequalities “Activation policies” produce “activity” but not necessarily either autonomy, security or social inclusion: –77% of working poor are women. They are poor because of : Low wage levels Insufficient / few hours of work or both ! –Household composition plays a major role … and this despite years of anti-discrimination policies The challenge - finding a policy mix for income security that will provide confidence about the future as well as the present.

Catching up to social realities means… Rethinking the family – work nexus –this is much more than early years services, important as they are Also need attention to income security in present and future – based on good wages, good pension income, adequate services for all types of social care. Assuring well-being in light of the new realities of the economic and the social may mean –new instruments, –but also reaffirming long-standing goals – equal opportunities to achieve autonomy, equality and social inclusion.

Data sources European Commission. 2005a. Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion [2005]. Brussels: European Commission, DG Employment and Social Affairs. Tony Fahey and Zsolt Spéder Fertility and family issues in an enlarged Europe. Dublin: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] Starting Strong II. Early Childhood Education and Care. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

To read more Jane Jenson Catching up to reality. Building the case for a new social model. Ottawa: CPRN. Available on Jane Jenson “The European Social Model: Gender and Generational Equality.” In Anthony Giddens, Patrick Diamond and Roger Liddle (eds). Global Europe, Social Europe. Cambridge: Polity Press, Jane Jenson “Family, Work and Welfare. Present and future challenges.” Prepared for FAMILY, WORK AND WELFARE IN PAST AND PRESENT: A TRANSATLANTIC WORKSHOP, November 2006, University of North Carolina. Available at: