The primacy of the market is the hallmark of the liberal policy regimes but reliance on the labour market for survival does not take place independently of relations of caring and dependence within households. Consequently, analysis of policies and services related to the organisation of daily life, which may facilitate or militate against labour force participation for those with caring responsibilities, is essential to a rounded analysis of particular social policy regimes. In addition to such policies as maternity and parental leave, and the availability of child care and facilities for caring for other dependants, policies relating to pay and employment equity, which may enhance the quality of participation, are also important to the character of social policy regimes and should be part of a comprehensive analysis. The analytical framework outlined in Chapter 1 allows us to examine labour market patterns and associated policies in terms of three dimensions. Through the lens of the state, market, family dimension we identify the relative importance of state, market and family individually and in interaction, in service provision, organisation and regulation. Utilising the stratification lens we analyse gender differences in labour force participation and associated characteristics, including the extent and nature of part-time work and the impact of service provision and regulation on gender stratification. Through the social citizenship rights lens we analyse the extent and quality of social rights as they facilitate labour force participation and enhance its quality.

In this chapter we consider gender differences in labour force participation and associated characteristics. This provides the context within which we can analyse the action taken by countries to sustain or mitigate the identified patterns of gender-based labour force stratification.