Family-friendly policies and gender bias in academia

Several recent reports on the status of women in US academic institutions have recommended more generous family policies to encourage and retain more women among academic staffs. Many of the policies suggested are modelled on those that have been in effect in Nordic countries for decades. The status...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of higher education policy and management 2008-11, Vol.30 (4), p.363-374
Main Authors: Mayer, Audrey L., Tikka, Päivi M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
academic institutions
Academic personnel
Academic staff
Academic staff university relationship
Academic status
College Faculty
Equal Opportunities (Jobs)
Europe: Social conditions
faculty
Family
family policies
Family Work Relationship
Females
Finland
Foreign Countries
Gender Bias
Leave of absence
Leaves of Absence
Parental leave
Postsecondary education
Pregnancy
Public Policy
School Policy
Sex Stereotypes
Social Change
Social Influences
Sweden
Teacher employment benefits
Tertiary education
United States
United States: Social conditions
Universities
women
Women and employment
Women Faculty
Working hours
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Summary:Several recent reports on the status of women in US academic institutions have recommended more generous family policies to encourage and retain more women among academic staffs. Many of the policies suggested are modelled on those that have been in effect in Nordic countries for decades. The status of women among Finnish and Swedish academic staff ranks is examined, with the assumption that women should be better represented if family policies are a significant factor in advancement and retention. It is found that similar conditions for female academics exist in the US as in Nordic countries, suggesting that advancement may be more dependent upon prevailing social conditions and gender stereotypes.
ISSN:1360-080X
1469-9508
DOI:10.1080/13600800802383034