The dilemma that is childcare: ideologies and dilemmas with regard to childcare for the under two’s in the Netherlands and England

The aim of this study is to identify patterns of thinking with regard to childcare for the under 2 year olds, amongst mothers. 40 women in two towns of similar demography in the Netherlands and England were interviewed, using a semi-structured interview. The discourse analysis method was used for the transcripts. Three ideologies were identified, namely "the ideology of the Good Mother" , " what the young child Needs" and "the ideology of Female Employment in this day and age" . Each of the ideologies comprised of 3 to 4 dilemmas mothers are faced with when deciding about childcare, like 'Mother’s Needs versus Child’s Needs’. Dutch mothers seemed to think that it is better to start using childcare when the child is as young as possible, whilst the English mothers thought the opposite. These dilemmas can be seen as part of a wider conflict of women’s (and child’s) needs.