Komparace dopadů mateřské a rodičovské dovolené v ČR a ve Švédsku na trhy práce daných zemí (2023)

This bachelor thesis deals with a comparative analysis of family policies in the Czech Republic and Sweden. The aim of the thesis was to find out the main differences of family policies in both countries and the possible reaction of Czech mothers if the measures implemented by the Swedish government were applied in the Czech Republic. Two hypotheses were set in the thesis. The first hypothesis claims that in the Czech Republic the stereotype that mothers should be at home with their children at least until the age of two, but ideally until the age of three, still persists. The second hypothesis claims that women with young children in the Czech Republic are not interested in part-time work. The theoretical part of the thesis is developed in the form of a literature search and focuses on social policy, social security, family policy and the labour market. In the practical part, an analysis of family policy systems in the Czech Republic and Sweden was carried out, followed by a comparison of the systems and their impact. This showed that the Swedish system is much more flexible than the Czech system and motivates families to share childcare and household care equally between the two partners. The Czech system is concentrated on supporting low-income families, while the Swedish system is more universal in the receipt of benefits. Qualitative research was also conducted in the form of semi-structured interviews with ten mothers who receive or have recently received parental allowance. This research confirmed the hypothesis that the stereotype that women should be on parental leave until the child is at least three years old still persists in the Czech Republic. The research also refuted the second hypothesis that Czech mothers are not interested in part-time work.