Gender Mainstreaming and Family Policy in Europe. Perspectives, Researches and Debates

The book "Gender Mainstreaming and Family Policy in Europe: Perspectives, Researches and Debates" edited by Isabella Crespi provides a comprehensive analysis of gender mainstreaming and its implications on family policies in Europe. Here is a detailed overview of the book:

Key Themes

1. Gender Mainstreaming Strategy:

   • The book delves into the origins and development of the European gender mainstreaming (GM) strategy, exploring its framework and implementation across European countries.

2. Gender Equality in Europe:

   • It critically evaluates the instruments used to measure gender equality, examining how societal aspects, such as work-family balance policies, affect individual values and support the development of gender egalitarian cultures.

3. Cultural Differences:

   • The book highlights cultural differences between European countries, analyzing how these differences influence the implementation and effectiveness of the GM strategy.

4. Challenges to Gender Mainstreaming:

   • It discusses the current and future challenges to the GM strategy, including integration processes, economic crises, migration and refugees crises, and the rise of right-wing Euroscepticism.

5. Conceptualizing Gender Equality:

   • The book addresses the ongoing issue of conceptualizing gender equality in different ways, which can lead to jeopardized results and inconsistent policies.

Plot Summary

The book is structured into several chapters that provide a systematic scientific overview of gender mainstreaming in Europe. The chapters include:

1. Introduction:

   • Sets the stage for the discussion on gender mainstreaming and its relevance in the European context.

2. Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming:

   • Explores the issue of equal opportunities in the European context, laying the groundwork for the subsequent chapters.

3. Gender Mainstreaming in Europe: Legislation and Cultural Changes:

   • Analyzes the legislative frameworks and cultural changes that have shaped the GM strategy.

4. Gender Mainstreaming and Social Policies in Europe:

   • Examines how social policies have been influenced by and are influencing the GM strategy.

5. Gender Equality in Europe: Measures and Indicators:

   • Critically evaluates the measures and indicators used to assess gender equality in Europe.

6. European Gender Cultures:

   • Discusses the diverse gender cultures across European countries and their impact on gender equality.

7. Current Challenges to Gender Mainstreaming in Europe:

   • Identifies and discusses the current and future challenges to the GM strategy, including broader European Union challenges.

8. Conclusions:

   • Summarizes the key findings and provides an outlook on the future of gender mainstreaming in Europe.

Critical Reception

While specific reviews are not provided in the search results, the book is part of a series of academic publications that are well-regarded in the field of gender studies and policy analysis. The critical reception would likely focus on the book's comprehensive approach to understanding the complexities of gender mainstreaming and its practical implications for family policies in Europe.

Author's Background

Isabella Crespi is an academic author known for her work in gender studies and multicultural family dynamics. Her contributions to the field are recognized through her publications, which often focus on the intersection of gender, culture, and policy.