Parenthood in contemporary Sweden

Parenthood is one of the most common statuses in the world, but what parenthood entails differs in time and place and is affected by a range of factors. This calls for situated and contextualised analyses of what characterises and impacts on parenthood, how parents experience and respond to contextual factors, and how parenthood is represented in the public and political discourse. My proposed sabbatical period would facilitate full dedication to writing the book Parenthood in contemporary Sweden. The book will provide a comprehensive synthesis of how parenthood is formed, experienced and represented. Analyses will be conducted of policy, experiences and representations, using data collected in previous projects and during the sabbatical, drawing on theory and previous research from a range of scientific fields, with chapters on family policy and parent support, the transition to parenthood, parenthood and children’s education, immigrant parenthood, parenthood in media, and Swedish parenthood in global comparison. The sabbatical project will provide knowledge, theory development and questions for future research, with suggestions for policymakers and practitioners. The sabbatical will include time at the Thomas Coram Research Unit, University College London. The unit is a community researching children and families; it has an outstanding record of output and excellence. Collaboration after the sabbatical will be discussed and planned for.