Lone Motherhood and Welfare Feminism: A Comparative Case Study of Iceland and Denmark

The Nordic countries have gained a global reputation for their robust welfare states. They are praised as being the best countries in the world for families-but what kind? Using Iceland and Denmark as comparative case studies in welfare feminism, this article explores how lone mothers engage with Nordic family leave policies and labor markets. Based on in-depth interviews with Icelandic and Danish lone mothers, it demonstrates that work-family integration policies are more effective in social-democratic Denmark, but that Iceland's more liberal welfare regime may provide greater benefits to women in the labor market. Ultimately, lone mothers in both countries still face difficulties in reconciling work and family life.