Is A Gender Analysis of Social Policy Still Required in High Income Countries? A Case Study of The New Zealand Sole Parent Benefit; Objectives and Outcomes
Journal Title: Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences - Year 2019, Vol 2, Issue 3
Abstract
New Zealand is considered an egalitarian society, with a progressive policy history in promoting gender equality, however, this paper illustrates how social policy does not always support this agenda. The objective of New Zealand Sole Parent Benefit is to provide temporal financial support to sole parents and their dependents while supporting a transition into formal paid employment. While ultimately aimed at increasing the labour force participation of sole parents, this paper queries to what extent the policy has achieved this objective and why. Recipient statistics are disaggregated by gender to highlight the disproportionate impact on, and unequal outcomes for women. Furthermore, a gendered analysis informed by feminist economists Naileer Kabeer, Diane Elson and Nancy Folbre, alongside statistical evidence of a gender pay gap, occupational segregation and motherhood penalty is applied to demonstrate how market constraints affect New Zealand women’s participation in the labour force, and contribute to the counter intuitive policy results. While these factors do not account for individual differences in motivation, nor individual aspirations, unless the gendered nature of the labour market is addressed, women will continue to face higher rates of engagement on the Sole Parent Benefit and continue to experience disproportionate economic disadvantage and financial insecurity. The consistent use of a gendered analysis in policy design and implementation is essential to reduce gender-based disadvantage, even in countries believed to promote gender equality.
Authors and Affiliations
Katheryn Margaret Pascoe
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP743716
- DOI https://doi.org/10.33422/jarss.v2i3.228
- Views 24
- Downloads 0
Effect of Peer-Tutoring Learning Teaching Method on Academic Performance of Financial Accounting Students in Federal Unity Colleges, in North-Eastern Nigeria
This study established the effect of peer tutoring teaching method on students’ performance in financial accounting in Federal unity Colleges of in North-East, Nigeria. The study had three objectives, three research ques...
Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Emotional Intelligence and Job Development in Saudi Educators
This study investigated the effects of a brief mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on Emotional Intelligence (EI) and job satisfaction among teachers in Saudi Arabia. Given the increasing stress and psychol...
The Demand for Freedom and Equality in the Street Below the Movement of Woman, Life, Freedom (August 2022)
This research, which explores the role of street protests in the freedom and equality movement of the 2022 urban uprising, was conducted using a secondary analysis approach and references to related sources, documents an...
Ritual Ecology and Sirigu Mural Paintings: Interrogating the Intersection of Art and Culture
This theoretical research study utilizes qualitative case study research methods to explore the intersection of art and culture in the context of Sirigu mural paintings, a unique art form found in the Upper East region o...
Building meaningful brands through disseminating artificial intelligence-related content. An essay about cancer hospitals
Artificial intelligence (AI) allows cancer hospitals to accelerate their digital transformation and promote their brand. This essay aims to answer the following research question: which communication principles should ca...