Social Inclusion or Gender Equality? Political Discourses on Parental Leave in Finland and Sweden

During the 2010s, both Finland and Sweden made advancements in their parental leave systems by widening right to paid a greater diversity of family constellations investing gender-equal distribution through longer periods reserved for father. However, latter respect, has remained more successful than Finland. This article analyses government political party discourses during 2010s pursuit an explanation this difference understanding how ideas on social inclusion gender equality have been used drive, or block, policy reforms field leave. The results show that become influenced countries, but somewhat different ways. While retained stronger position Swedish discourse its policy, inclusion, notably rights same-sex parents, visible Finnish. also contested level, especially confessional nationalist-populist parties.