Abstract
This paper explorers Norwegian childcare policy during the post-war period. Norway was called “Housewives County” and women were not recognized as labour force in the face of labor shortages until the l960s. However, the category of “housewives” had less value because more women had participated in the labour market with the expansion of public sector. Instead of “housewives”, the value of “children” has been brought to the fore. As typified by cash benefit for childcare conducted in 1998, childcare policy in Norway was based on gender differences, emphasizing the value “for children” in these days. This research suggests that state feminism, the alliance between mother and state, was formed in dependence upon gender differences, and it is still important factor affecting Norwegian childcare policy.
