Parenting support: Another gender-related policy illusion in Europe?

SynopsisUsing developments in England as the baseline case study, this article critically examines the ‘turn to parenting’, as constituted by the emergence of parenting as a way of conceiving of the role of parent and the putting in place of a set of services for parental instruction and education. The view of parent generalised by these developments is akin to the idea of ‘parenter’ — a genderless someone who puts into practice a set of instrumental behaviours in relation to child-rearing that are beyond gender specificity or social setting. When the measures are examined they are shown to be not gender neutral but gender blind. I suggest that gender blindness is traceable to some of the philosophical influences behind the interventions. It also fits with the instrumental views inherent in policy today, in relation not only to children's development but also the roles of women and men in contemporary economy and society. There is also the fact that a key intent of some of the provisions is to exercise control over the parenting-related behaviours of the poorer sections of the population and women are potentially the best means of achieving this.