International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze how employed women perceive the reconciliation of work and family life in Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, Great Britain, Sweden and Switzerland. The paper seeks to explore why women in certain countries are more successful in combining family responsibilities with gainful employment.

Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on data from the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) 2005, the questions are addressed by applying country specific linear regression analysis at the individual level, correlations at the country level as well as policy analysis.

Findings – The analysis shows that the most important factors influencing employed women's perception of the reconciliation are work load, the presence of children in the household and part-time employment. In addition, the findings point at cross-national differences. In countries where family policies focus on integrating men and women into the labour market, women rate the reconciliation of work and family life higher than in countries whose family policies aim at supporting the family.

Research limitations/implications – By comparing seven European countries the paper shows that family policies are closely related to employed women's perceptions of the reconciliation. In order to understand the interaction between the individual perception and the institutional framework, the paper suggests that further research is needed on women's perceptions in each country.

Originality/value – The paper explores how employed women perceive the reconciliation of work and family life in seven European countries and explains the differences by means of family policies.