The role played by the Spanish ‘superwomen’ has been pivotal within families, which have historically functioned as effective (though informal) ‘shock absorbers’ across a whole range on social policy areas. It does not seem plausible to expect superwoman’s daughters to reproduce past family strategies. Two interrelated issues have emerged in debates about advancing gender equality within households, and mobilising women into paid work: the unequal sharing by family members of domestic responsibilities, and the lack of external support for family life (child care facilities, personal social services and parental leaves). The transition to a new model of welfare provision will actively concern society as a whole. In so doing, what was considered to be a ‘women’s issue’ would no longer be coped with ‘behind closed doors’.

Peer reviewed