European social policy tends to be more progressive than that of the United States. Their system is more extensive and makes public child-care systems available, promote flexible working time and arrangements, and promote equality between men and women. The United States has very minimal Federal and State social policies in comparison. There is a more individualist and market approach. As a result, workers see longer hours and lower wages. Parents are also responsible for finding their own form of child-care.
In regards to child-care, different countries in Europe take similar approaches in comparison to the U.S., yet there are some major distinctions. In France, almost 100% of three, four, and five year olds are enrolled in Ecoles Maternelles. This is a free program that promotes early education. Teachers are paid high wages and are required to have masters degrees. It costs the government $5,500 per child each year in 1999. This adds up to about 1% of France’s GDP. All children are welcome and most actually do attend.
In Denmark, there is less emphasis on the school model. Instead their child care system stresses “relatively unstructured curriula” run by pedagogues with college degrees and paid teacher wages. Children can attend from birth up to age six. This system is publically funded but parents do end up paying about 1/5th the cost. In the United States, parents are forced to find and pay for their own child-care. This leads to the commoditization of child-care and many parents pay high prices for low quality care.
Family leave policies are less generous in the United States. In all industrialized countries the United States has one of the worse policies. Each parent receives 12 weeks of protected unpaid leave as long as he or she is protected under the Family Leave act. It requires for the company to have at least 50 employees and you must have worked a certain number of hours before you are eligible. The problem is that most workers claim they can not afford to take off, since leave is unpaid.
Family Leave in European countries is much more extensive. European Countries offer paid leave for longer durations. Many countries also allow even more leave on top of the paid leave, which is unpaid. Sweden, for example, allows 52 weeks of leave with 80% pay with 13 additional weeks of unpaid leave.
Work time and arrangements is more heavily regulated in Europe than the United States. In Europe, the standard work week is as low was 35 hours (France). There is a cap in the European Union of 48 hours which includes overtime. Four weeks of vacation is also paid each year. Part-time work is also protected, pay is equal and benefits are protected. There is also promotion of flexible work arrangements.
I think it is possible to have a more dual-earner/dual-carer society in the United States over time. I think people are starting to realize reform is necessary, but people in the United States are still trying to decide what policies should be in place. I think there needs to be policy that provides a balance in allowing for more time for parents to spend with children, and allowing child-care centers where children can interact. Public child care should be provided to all children, which offers high quality care. Work hours should also be reduced to encourage more family-time.
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European social policy tends to be more progressive than that of the United States. Their system is more extensive and makes public child-care systems available, promote flexible working time and arrangements, and promote equality between men and women. The United States has very minimal Federal and State social policies in comparison. There is a more individualist and market approach. As a result, workers see longer hours and lower wages. Parents are also responsible for finding their own form of child-care.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to child-care, different countries in Europe take similar approaches in comparison to the U.S., yet there are some major distinctions. In France, almost 100% of three, four, and five year olds are enrolled in Ecoles Maternelles. This is a free program that promotes early education. Teachers are paid high wages and are required to have masters degrees. It costs the government $5,500 per child each year in 1999. This adds up to about 1% of France’s GDP. All children are welcome and most actually do attend.
In Denmark, there is less emphasis on the school model. Instead their child care system stresses “relatively unstructured curriula” run by pedagogues with college degrees and paid teacher wages. Children can attend from birth up to age six. This system is publically funded but parents do end up paying about 1/5th the cost. In the United States, parents are forced to find and pay for their own child-care. This leads to the commoditization of child-care and many parents pay high prices for low quality care.
Family leave policies are less generous in the United States. In all industrialized countries the United States has one of the worse policies. Each parent receives 12 weeks of protected unpaid leave as long as he or she is protected under the Family Leave act. It requires for the company to have at least 50 employees and you must have worked a certain number of hours before you are eligible. The problem is that most workers claim they can not afford to take off, since leave is unpaid.
Family Leave in European countries is much more extensive. European Countries offer paid leave for longer durations. Many countries also allow even more leave on top of the paid leave, which is unpaid. Sweden, for example, allows 52 weeks of leave with 80% pay with 13 additional weeks of unpaid leave.
Work time and arrangements is more heavily regulated in Europe than the United States. In Europe, the standard work week is as low was 35 hours (France). There is a cap in the European Union of 48 hours which includes overtime. Four weeks of vacation is also paid each year. Part-time work is also protected, pay is equal and benefits are protected. There is also promotion of flexible work arrangements.
I think it is possible to have a more dual-earner/dual-carer society in the United States over time. I think people are starting to realize reform is necessary, but people in the United States are still trying to decide what policies should be in place. I think there needs to be policy that provides a balance in allowing for more time for parents to spend with children, and allowing child-care centers where children can interact. Public child care should be provided to all children, which offers high quality care. Work hours should also be reduced to encourage more family-time.