Comparing childcare policies in Lithuania and the Czech Republic

This chapter compares Czech and Lithuanian childcare policies. Through contextual analysis, we uncover the causes of their variations. In Lithuania more mothers with small children are employed, more fathers take parental leave, and more small children attend formal childcare. Czech policies provide a long paid leave centered on mothers and discourage fathers from caregiving. Paradoxically, Lithuania manifests fewer egalitarian attitudes than Czechia, indicating that gender equalizing policies have only limited transformative power there. Factors from the communist past and the transition period explain some of the variations and contradictions. Drawing on a comprehensive review of the recent literature, we highlight key debates, emerging perspectives, up-to-date concepts and blind spots in this area, discuss the consequences and pressing issues of childcare policies in the region, and propose policy recommendations. The findings underscore the need for further research and action to address the potential future implications of these developments.