European comparative surveys: what can we learn (or not) about parenting leave policy?

In this section, a critical insight into existing European comparative studies is given, with a particular look at variables related to PLP. In other words, we discuss whether, to what extent and how do European comparative surveys collect data on PLP. Only studies of comparative character that are conducted on a regular basis are considered. At a very general level, there are two types of studies covering all or most of the EU countries. First, studies that aim at providing insight into
various aspects of labour market participation and living conditions (EU Labour Force Survey – EULFS, EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions – EU-SILC, European Quality of Life Surveys –EQLS, European Working Conditions Surveys – EWCS). Second, studies that provide insight into attitudes and values (Eurobarometer, European Social Survey – ESS, International Social Survey Program – ISSP, European Values Survey – EVS). Besides those, Generations and Gender Survey (GGS) and Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) are also discussed, as these are also of comparative character covering many European countries and may allow us to think through the PLP data gaps and how we can overcome them.