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Dutch Gov't Courts More 9-to-5 Women

Daycare program aims to get moms working; won’t conquer guilt

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 8, 2007 2:24 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Dutch government is working to get women working. A new law mandating that schools must provide afternoon childcare is meant to raise the number of mothers in full-time jobs, the Economist reports. At 66%, the Netherlands has a higher than average female workforce among European countries, but 61% of those are part time. And other social forces stand in the way.

Only 28% of urban women say they set themselves lofty goals, and their rural counterparts are even less ambitious; indeed, the Netherlands has a very low share of top jobs staffed by women, hovering near 30%. And the social concept of good parenting is also extreme, as Dutch mothers who use daycare are heavily criticized.

The Dutch government is hoping new mandatory daycare laws will increase the chance that stay-at-home moms join the workforce.
The Dutch government is hoping new mandatory daycare laws will increase the chance that stay-at-home moms join the workforce.   (Index Open)
In an effort to promote working mothers, schools have begun to offer after-hours childcare in the Netherlands.
In an effort to promote working mothers, schools have begun to offer after-hours childcare in the Netherlands.   (Shutterstock.com)
Economists theorize that scarce public childcare, lower wages for women and lack of ambition all contribute to keeping women out of the workplace in the Netherlands.
Economists theorize that scarce public childcare, lower wages for women and lack of ambition all contribute to keeping women out of the workplace in the Netherlands.   (Index Open)
Contoversial Writer Ayaan Hirsi Ali Speaks At Sydney Writers Festival
Contoversial Writer Ayaan Hirsi Ali Speaks At Sydney Writers Festival   (Getty Images (by Event))
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn   (Archive Photos)
'50s mom
'50s mom   (Shutterstock.com)
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