This paper analyzes the provision of institutional child care in Sweden from a comparative perspective, testing the welfare state typology proposed by Gösta Esping-Andersen. Our attempt to analyze the provision of child care in the Scandinavian countries (with a focus on Sweden), in the United States, and in France according to the categories suggested by Esping-Andersen must be regarded as a test, because the original typology was based on a comparison of pension systems, sickness benefits, and public sectors as employers. Our study shows both the adequacy and some of the weaknesses of such an approach. As we point out some of the limitations perceived when the typology is employed in an analysis of the provision of social services <FONT FACE="Symbol">¾</FONT> i.e., when it is employed beyond its original parameters <FONT FACE="Symbol">¾</FONT> the feminist criticism of mainstream welfare state analyses is strengthened.
welfare state; child care; working mothers
