... in ascertaining whether any more widespread conclusions could be made if the social and economic status of the country and of the women in that country were investigated. It was possible to observe from the preliminary findings that the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark) possessed the most representative of parliaments, with percentages at 35+. From a second year course taken on the Modern Europe Welfare State, I was aware of the distinct nature of Nordic welfare provisions and attitudes; * High degree of state involvement in the welfare of citizens * Approximately 30% of total labour force employed in social, health and educational sectors * Universal social insurance systems * Highly advanced level of gender-equality; the labour market characterised by high level of female employment, wage equality and provisions for working mothers (Kuhnle 1998) It is the inclusion of women in the labour market that prompted the question as to whether social (ie ...

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