Reconciling Work and Family Life in EU Law and Policy

The tension that exists between family and work responsibilities has long been acknowledged by the European Union. Since its timid introduction onto the agenda in the early 1970s, reconciliation between work and family life has developed into a fully-fledged principle of EU law and policy. This has been made possible by changes in the economic context, as well as in society and in family structures. Consequently, mothers now take for granted their productive and reproductive roles whilst, at the same time, fathers are more willing to participate in their children's daily upbringing. More generally, it is increasingly the case that employees have family responsibilities which are not limited to child rearing but also include caring for elderly or dependent members of the family. It follows that reconciliation between work and family life is an evolving concept that needs to be constantly re-assessed. This book explores the development of this principle and its implications for the EU legal order. It offers an innovative conceptual framework, which aims to further our understanding of the ongoing changes in this area.