The gender dimension of the Spanish social protection system (1978-1996).

de Leon Borja, Margarita (2000) The gender dimension of the Spanish social protection system (1978-1996). PhD thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science.

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Abstract

This thesis studies the Spanish social protection system from a gender perspective. The period investigated is between 1978 and 1996. Two primary research questions were found relevant for the investigation. First, to what extent- and in which way- does the social protection system in Spain affect gender differently in terms of outcomes for men and women. Second, what are the potential factors that explain that degree of gender difference. Two main issues were set up as hypotheses for the analysis of this second research question: the extent to which gender equality issues are targeted as objectives in the social protection policy process; and, whether women are represented as social actors in the policy-making process. Using secondary statistical data and legislative documents on entitlement rules, the first question is analysed by assessing men and women's access to benefits in cash administered by the public social security system. Additional consideration is given to social services in kind and the income tax system as complementary sources of social provision. Elite interviews and documentary material are undertaken as primary research material for the second part of the investigation. The focus has been on patterns of neo-corporatism, policy access of women's policy machinery, gender equality strategies and the discourses and ideologies that embrace social actors' intervention in the policy process. The thesis starts with an overview of the existing literature. The first chapters concentrate on theoretical issues and background of the country under study. Chapter 4 locates several ways in which gender stratification is sustained in the social protection system. It will be shown how labour market segregation and specific configuration of benefits through entitlement rules explain two-track access to social security for men and women. Chapter 5, chapter 6, and chapter 7 have identified internal and external factors conditioning the inclusion of gender equality as a relevant issue in the policy process and the intervention of women's policy machinery in policy-making. Bringing together the findings from the previous chapters, chapter 8 identifies a distinctive gender and welfare model common to the countries of southern Europe, outlining challenges for the future of their social protection systems.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Sociology, Public and Social Welfare
Sets:	Collections > ProQuest Etheses Departments > Social Policy
URI:	http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/2645

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