Analyzing interpretative frameworks: The Child Stay Program to Support Working Mothers and Single Fathers (2012-2018)

Abstract

In Mexico, during Enrique Peña Nieto's six-year term (2012-2018), the Child Stay Program to Support Working Mothers and Single Parents (PEI) was implemented, whose antecedents are the Child Care Homes Project (2000-2006) and the Program of Child Stays to Support Working Mothers (PEI) (2012-2018). The PEI has within its objectives to provide care and attention services for infants for mothers seeking employment, studying or working, as well as single parents. In this sense, this article analyzes the interpretive frameworks of the PEI to observe how the gender perspective is interpreted in this social policy, through the analysis of existing programmatic and normative documents. The argument that is upheld is that the dominant interpretative frameworks in the PEI are based on a perspective of practical gender needs to combat poverty that, on the one hand, accepts the role of female provider but, on the other, reproduces and it accentuates the traditional role of women as caregivers without actually having a female empowerment process with a view to social and cultural transformation.