This book focuses on issues of family, work, and gender, with a focus on gender inequality. Women are disadvantaged in both paid and domestic work, due in large part to being primarily responsible for duties within the domestic sphere. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these inequalities, making the issue of reducing gender inequality even more pressing.
Fathers play an important role in contributing to, and perhaps reducing, gender inequality, but barriers to their involvement in family life have received less attention than detailing challenges that mothers face. If men were equally involved in all aspects of domestic life (i.e., were fully engaged dads), women's burdens would be reduced and perceptions of who is responsible for parenting may change, resulting in greater gender equality. Father Involvement and Gender Equality in the United States focuses on the key issue of father involvement, seeking to understand why fathers are less involved at home than mothers despite an increased desire for fathers to be more engaged parents. This book utilizes recent national survey data, interviews with fathers, and insights from the author’s personal experience as a father to identify current norms of fatherhood within the United States, barriers to father involvement, and strategies to overcome these barriers. Overall, this book argues that by establishing the expectation that fathers will be fully engaged dads as a cultural norm, and by providing structural opportunities for fathers to meet this cultural standard, greater gender equality can be achieved within the United States.
The arguments presented in this book are valuable for scholars in the areas of family, work, and gender, policymakers and business leaders who seek to promote gender equality and work-family balance, and parents who are interested in achieving a more egalitarian division of labor within their own families.
Author(s): Richard J. Petts
Series: Routledge Studies in Family Sociology
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 168
City: London
Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Figures
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction
My Experiences as a Father
The Parenting Double Standard
The Goal of This Book
Why Is Father Involvement Important?
Importance of Father Involvement for Children
Importance of Father Involvement for Mothers
Importance of Father Involvement for Fathers
Overview of This Book
Data Sources and Methodological Approach
Chapter Overview
Notes
References
2. How Is Fatherhood Viewed Today?
Contemporary Attitudes toward Fathers in the United States
Attitudes toward Fathers as Egalitarian Partners
Defining Father Involvement
Fatherhood Attitudes and Father Involvement
Fatherhood Attitudes and Egalitarian Partnerships
Summary
Notes
References
3. Why Aren't Fathers More Involved? Gendered Norms of Parenting
The Gender Structure within the United States
Moms Just Have a Better Sense: Norms of Intensive Motherhood
Being an Involved Dad Is Not Unmasculine, Right?: Norms of Masculinity
Summary
Notes
References
4. Why Aren't Fathers More Involved? Workplace Barriers
Work Takes Over Your Life: Pressures to Work
I Would Give Anything to Have Time Off: Access to Family-Friendly Workplace Policies
I Probably Would Have Been Let Go: Penalties Associated with Violating Ideal Worker Norms
I Wouldn't Want to Work For a Company That Doesn't Prioritize Family: Flexible Jobs and Being a Fully Engaged Dad
Summary
Notes
References
5. How Do We Get More Fathers Involved? The Role of Paternity Leave
Paternity Leave and Father Involvement
Paternity Leave and Father-Child Relationships
Paternity Leave and Father-Mother Relationships
Summary
References
6. Conclusion
Gender Equality Requires Fully Engaged Dads
Societal Changes to Promote Fully Engaged Dads
Workplace Changes to Promote Fully Engaged Dads
Family and Individual Changes to Promote Fully Engaged Dads
Notes
References
Appendix
Survey Data and Analyses
Survey on Contemporary Fatherhood (SCF)
Survey on Parental Leave Policies (PLP)
Early Childhood Longitudinal Study - Birth Cohort (ECLS-B)
Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS)
American Time Use Survey (ATUS)
Interview Data
Personal Experiences
Notes
References
Index
