Work–family policies, participation, and practices: fathers and childcare in Europe

Abstract

This paper asks about social policies for fathers’ participation in childcare in Europe, and fathers’ work–family reconciliation practices and ideals, with special reference to the UK. In some European countries, especially Sweden, reform has given fathers non-transferable rights to parental leave. Might such innovations enhance UK men's contribution to childcare? In the UK, gender inequalities in policy are stark: parental leave systems assume – through maternity leaves – mothers’ responsibility for care, while seeing fathers’ care as a question of individual choice. Our qualitative research asked how fathers managed reconciliation between work and family, and how alternative social policy strategies would fit with their practices and ideals. The paper concludes that social policies supporting men's care – particularly parental leave dedicated to fathers – are needed to enhance gender equality and work–family reconciliation for men and for women.