The politics of childcare : analysis of growth and constraint

Abstract

The situation of New Zealand women with children in the 1980's is replete with contradictions. Their inherited role within the family contradicts their emergent role in the labour force. Within production, their role as both worker and consumer is crucial, yet their labour is cheap, and they are the unknown unemployed. Women's ideological role within the family is one of reproduction, nurturing, servicing and stabilizing, yet this is in contradiction to the family's changing structure, and economic functions. In contrast to the changing situation of women, the role of men in New Zealand has remained fairly static (Novitz 1978) and it is this imbalance that is the most fraught with contradiction. These contradictions have arisen out of social changes brought about by: the restructuring of industry and technology, and new employment patterns; demographic factors such as falling birth and mortality rates; increased mobility and urbanisation; equal rights legislation; a changing perspective of women and a new consciousness amongst women concerning their role in society. These changing relationships have all combined to affect family structures, child rearing patterns, the roles and value systems within our society.