Asset Publisher

Article

Why do men not use work-family reconciliation measures?

J. A. Fernández-Cornejo, Sabina Belope-Nguema, Lorenzo Escot and Eva del Pozo- García, Universidad Complutense de Madrid;
null

Many working fathers are potential users of work-family reconciliation measures that exist at their organisations but do not request them. One of the barriers that they find is a lack of sensitivity of the companies for which they work.
Key points
  • 1
       Some 37.7% of mothers requested a reduction in working hours or to work part time when returning to work, whereas only 4% of fathers requested this.
  • 2
       Some 54.4% of fathers surveyed were of the opinion that at their companies “it is considered more natural for a mother to request a reconciliation measure than for a father to do so”.
  • 3
       Although reconciliation measures are available, in practice many fathers have the perception that their capacity to use them freely is limited.
  • 4
       Fathers that have the sensation of working at a company that supports work- family reconciliation, in general, and reconciliation for fathers, in particular, experience a lesser sensation of work-family conflict
When returning to work following parental leave, in comparison with women, very few men use work-family reconciliation measures.
242020

Following birth or adoption, mothers used an average of 162.7 days of leave to care for their new child, whereas fathers used just 16.8 days. Furthermore, 37.7% of mothers requested a reduction in working hours or to work part time when returning to work, whereas only 4% of fathers requested this. The differences in terms of requesting timetable flexibility and changes of shift were also important.

Classification

Tags

Subject areas

Related content

Article

Young people and their idea of the family

The family is important for young people and a reference point for forming their own. However, a study among young people aged 16 to 32 living in Spain reveals that only 16% have children.

Article

Are gender stereotypes still alive in the twenty-first century?

Gender stereotypes persist that mean that traits such as leadership and entrepreneurship are identified as masculine.

Article

Teen dating violence

Among adolescents, 10.1% have been victims of controlling behaviour in their relationships

Article

Uses, skills and attitude in digital technology fields. Does a gender gap exist?

Boys consider that they are more skilled than girls in digital technology and communication fields, whereas girls feel better prepared in ethical and security-related aspects.

Article

The role of schools in detecting gender violence

Sixty-eight per cent of minors who are exposed to gender violence in the home say nothing in the academic setting and teaching staff only perceive it if evident signs of violence exist. How can an effective model for the prevention of sexist violence be drawn up for primary and secondary schools?

You may also find interesting

Stereotypes intellectual disabilities

Article

Stereotypes intellectual disabilities


Social Inclusion

The inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities is still an unresolved issue.

Interventions low-income families healthier food

Article

Interventions low-income families healthier food


Social Inclusion

How to motivate the purchase of healthy food by low-income families? Training through workshops had a more positive impact.

Seminar on longevity 2024

Report

Seminar on longevity 2024


Social Inclusion

‘Shaping the Future: Social Protection and Support Systems for an Aging World’ was held, organised by the Social Observatory of the ‘la Caixa’ Foundation and the World Bank with the aim of addressing the challenges of social care in ageing from a multidimensional strategy..