ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses changes in social policies in the Norwegian setting, with a special emphasis on family policies. It argues that a series of incremental changes add up to a possible reorientation of the Norwegian welfare state, a reorientation that can be regarded as a policy response to changes in household structure and gender roles. The Norwegian case is then placed in an international context. Since 1909, Norwegian employees have received partial compensation in case of absence due to sickness. There are simply no grown-ups left in most Norwegian households during the daytime that may step in and assume caring responsibilities if dependent household members become sick, disabled or chronically ill. Escalating priority conflicts have certainly been witnessed within the Norwegian welfare sector. The dichotomy between social insurance and social assistance does not wholly exhaust the Norwegian response to increased household vulnerability.
