Care at the Crossroads: How Policy Feedback Shaped Competing Feminist Advocacy for Parental Leave Reform in Spain

Abstract

Growing attention to “degenderization” reforms that aim to encourage men's caregiving roles may generate opposition from groups advocating to prioritize mothers' right to care. This article seeks to understand the politics of degenderization through the case of Spain, the only state with equal non-transferable parental leave entitlements for mothers and fathers. It argues that policy feedback effects from changes in family policy and gender representation shape feminist advocacy for leave reform. Methodologically, the study combines a historical review, document analysis, and interviews with policy makers and activists. Results show that the institutionalization of equality feminism, initially a reaction against Francoism, generated positive feedback effects. Namely, it fostered the emergence and success of the PPiiNA organization by making elites responsive to its advocacy for equal and non-transferable parental leave. However, this provoked a negative feedback effect, mobilizing mothers' groups into a competing organization, named PETRA, that demands transferable or mother-exclusive leave rights.