300551 Work and Family in Transformation? Stability and Change in Policy, Structures and Practices (MA: Sozialstruktur und soziale Ungleichheit) (S) (WiSe 2025/2026)

We are currently witnessing simultaneous and ongoing dynamics of change in policies, structures and practices of work and family. This seminar aims to address two questions: When are public policies and workplace policies that are meant to facilitate a better alignment of work and family being implemented, modified or abandoned? And what are the intended and unintended consequences for social inequalities and social cohesion involved? For the latter we are especially interested in policy feedback dynamics, such as normative policy feedback (consequences for stereotypes against mothers and fathers, ideal worker norm expectations and informal work-family support) as well as backlash dynamics of resistance and conflicts around policies, families and workplaces.
The seminar is organized in an innovative format. It includes six guest lectures which will be prepared in the seminar sessions, and discussed and reflected upon after.

Course requirements:
- Active Participation: Presentation (15 Minutes) (“Studienleistung”)
- Graded Participation: Seminar report (around 15 pages) (“Prüfungsleistung”)

Literature recommendations:
Blum, Sonja & Blome, Agnes (forthcoming): Familienpolitik in der Vergleichenden Politikwissenschaft. In M. Kneuer, G. Pickel & S. Pickel (Hrsg.) Handbuch Vergleichende Politikwissenschaft.
Grunow, D., Begall, K., & Buchler, S. (2018). Gender ideologies in Europe: A multidimensional framework. Journal of marriage and Family, 80(1), 42-60.

Peters, E., & Abendroth, A.-K. (2025). Gender Ideologies and Workplace Diversity Policies: Are Voluntary Women’s Quotas and Mentoring Programmes Associated with Employees’ Gender Ideologies? Work, Employment and Society, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/09500170251336989

Digital Lecture Series: Work and Family in Transformation? Policies – Structures – Practices
Tuesday, 14.00 – 16.00
Dates: 21. Okt, 4. Nov, 18. Nov., 2. Dez, 16. Dez, 20. Jan