<ARTICLES>How the Non-Gendered Work-Life Balance Improving Laws Have Gendered Results : Belgian Time Credit and Career Break Allowing Laws and their Impact on Women's Lifestyle during the Last Quarter of the 20th Century

Abstract

This study is to show that although a law may be completely gender neutral in writing and implementation, it may have a very gendered result due to the existing social background. The changing purpose of the law as well as the actual usage of the law is being discussed, together with the reasons for the law to be used in this way. Whether women make use of the law out of free will or out of necessity is an important question in itself as women take a step back in the evolution to a non-gendered society by interrupting their career to do housework. The findings show that more changes are needed to the social structure and customs before a completely neutral law like the Belgian career break law can work as originally planned.