ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the prevailing notion of citizenship in the emancipation policy pursued by the Dutch government, especially as it is directed to girls. It argues that this policy has rather emphasised the idea of femininity being synonymous with care-giving, instead of contributing to the deconstruction of the male-breadwinner stereotype. The chapter examines the implicit notion of citizenship present in government policies on girls and explains how the central problem is seen as girls’ choices. It describes the social construction of girlhood in Dutch society, which is characterised by pillarisation, is necessary. In order to shed more light on the friction between the social policy on girls and the reality of daily life for many of them, the chapter discusses some research on the situation of girls in the Netherlands and the attempts that have been made to change gender relations. It addresses the issue of citizenship and participation.
