Mothers in the Workforce
The roles of mothers, and of women in general, are essential to the family-friendly, gender-equal policies of Sweden.  Swedish tax reforms, public childcare facilities, and a reduced workweek are three key policies that have helped to engage women into the full-time workforce, while retaining their identities as mothers.

Tax Reforms
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Swedish government changed the structure of the taxation system.  They legislated tax reforms requiring individual taxation apart from marital status, essentially making it advantageous for mothers to participate in the workforce.  As early as 1995, 92% of Swedish fathers were employed, while 85% of Swedish mothers were employed; Sweden has among the closest employment rates among mothers and fathers in Western Europe.

Public Childcare
The presence of Swedish public childcare facilities is key to both liberating women from their traditional roles and improving family life.  The government subsidizes a generous amount of money for childcare, thus resulting in highly qualified childcare workers.  Sweden also has strong early education programs for its young.  Swedish parents can rest assured that their children are in the hands of quality care.

Reduced Workweek
Another policy that has allowed women to be both independent and effective mothers is the reduced workweek.  By statute, forty hours is the maximum amount that individuals are allowed to work per week in Sweden.  With work hours being limited, both parents are encouraged to work full-time.

Resources:
Gornick, Janet C. and Marcia K. Meyers. 2003. Families that Work: Policies for Reconciling Parenthood and Employment. 1st ed. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.

Morgan, Kimberly J. 2006. Working Mothers and the Welfare State: religion and the politics of work-family policies in Western Europe and the United States. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press.

------. 2005. "The ‘Production’ of Child Care: How Labor Markets Shape Social Policy and Vice Versa." Social Politics 12(2):243-263.

Sundstrom, Marianne. 1993. "The Growth in Full-Time Work among Swedish Women in the 1980s." Acta Sociologica 36(2):139-150.