Work-Family Conflict in the Nordic Countries: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

The aim of this article is to examine men’s and women’s subjective experiences of work-family conflict in the Nordic welfare states. These countries are often considered to be frontrunners with regard to gender equality, especially regarding the provision of policies that aim to support the reconciliation between work and family life. However, previous research has produced divergent results in response to the question of whether the welfare state institutions of the Nordic countries help to reduce work-family conflict. Do supportive institutions matter, or is the household division of labour of greater importance regarding experiences of work-family conflict? Drawing on data from the 2002 module of the International Social Survey Programme, the analyses indicate that experiences of work-family conflict among Nordic men and women can be divided into three clusters: work-family balance, occupational work overload, and dual work overload. In spite of their shorter working hours, women experience higher levels of work-family conflict than men. An unfair division of housework also increases work-family conflict. In the main, experiences of work-family conflict do not differ greatly among the Nordic countries, with the exception of Finland, where the level is lower than in the other countries. This points to a difference within the Nordic welfare state regime regarding the transition towards gender equality.