Roberta Guerrina

This exciting book, newly available in paperback, investigates the scope of maternity legislation and family-friendly policies in the European Union. The wider context of the analysis is the development of equal rights as part of a European social dimension. The book is concerned with the influence of values and beliefs about women, equality, politics and employment on the scope of equal rights and maternity provisions. It provides answers to the following questions - what are the stated objectives of family-friendly policies? Which values transpire from the analysis of maternity rights? How do gender power hierarchies shape the overall aim of policies for the reconciliation between work and family life? Through the use of two case studies - one from Italy and one from the UK - it uncovers the values that underpin the policy making process and gives concrete examples of gender policies in action.It will be of vital benefit to anyone studying gender and gender policies in a specific European Union context.

What is Europe? Who is European? And how is the very idea of Europe created? Looking at its past, present and future, this interdisciplinary book provides a comprehensive introduction to Europe. It discusses the key issues in European politics, culture and society, and provides a historical overview of the creation of the idea of Europe, with particular attention to the process of European integration. Section one examines the historical roots of Europe, from its Graeco-Roman heritage and Christian traditions, to the creation of the European Union. Section two looks at key ideas such as political integration, the common market, and issues of European citizenship. Section three focuses on the concept of European identity, and discusses issues of ethnicity and gender, while Section four concludes with a discussion of issues of justice, human rights and the role of European courts.