If you dare to ask: self-perceived possibilities of Spanish fathers to reduce work hours

This article analyzes the ideological discourses of fathers on the use of paternity leave in Spain. The goal is to reconstruct the ideological positions that fathers from different social locations develop around the existence of paternity leave as well as to explore their attitudes toward the impending length equalization of paternity and maternity leaves. A qualitative analysis was applied through the configuration of eight focus groups with fathers from two Spanish cities, Madrid and Barcelona. The results show the diversity of the fathers’ ideological positions in their representations about paternity leave. Different conceptions and degrees of legitimacy are observed, often conditioned by work, and institutional and gender contexts to which these fathers belong. Only some discourses and specific positions back up the change of legislation toward the equivalent duration of paternity and maternity leaves.

Section: Introduction: Theoretical Context and Objectivessupporting

confidence: 64%

Ideological Discourses of Fathers on Paternity Leave in Spain

Viñas

2020

“…For the period 2005–2009, Escot et al (2014) estimate that fathers started part-time unpaid parental leave in only 0.3% of births, compared with 5%–6% for mothers. Another study found that in the case of the reduced schedule, which is a right in Spain, only 4.1% of fathers had ever used it, while the number of mothers increased to 25.8% (Fernandez-Lozano, 2018). Different quantitative studies have revealed that fathers with high educational levels working in a secure job or in the public sector were more likely to take unpaid parental leave than other fathers (Escot et al, 2014; Lapuerta et al, 2011).…”

Section: The Spanish Parental Leave System and Its Usementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, if such leave is used, it is taken more often by mothers than by fathers (Elizalde-San Miguel et al, 2019; Escot et al, 2014; Lapuerta et al, 2011). For example, in the case of the reduced work schedule, which is a right in Spain (part-time unpaid parental leave), only 4.1% of fathers have ever used it, whereas the number of mothers using it has increased to 25.8% (Fernandez-Lozano, 2018). This situation raises intriguing questions regarding the reasons and decision-making process of couples.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why Is Part-time Unpaid Parental Leave (Still) Gendered? Narratives and Strategies of Couples in Spain

Bueno

Grau‐Grau²

2020

This article examines men’s and women’s reasoning regarding part-time unpaid parental leave use intentions once paid leave ends by using 52 original interviews conducted with highly educated men and women aged 24 years to 35 years in stable partnerships in Spain. We identify three part-time unpaid parental leave use strategies concealing six different narratives. Our results offer interesting gender discrepancies that reveal intended unpaid leave use arrangements. Our comparison of men’s and women’s narratives suggests that men seem to overestimate the egalitarianism within their relationships by being highly predisposed to take unpaid leave. Our analysis indicates that economic uncertainty and labor-market barriers (including persistent gender inequality) perpetuate a gendered use of this gender-neutral policy even among couples who show strong gender-egalitarian attitudes.

“…Both holding leadership positions (Gasser, 2015) and having high earnings (Fernández-Cornejo et al, 2016) are negatively correlated with time devoted to childcare. In contrast, mid-level white-collar employees (e.g., clerical workers) are more likely to have family-friendly schedules than other employees and seem to be less affected by the penalties associated with breaking the long hours culture (Fernández-Lozano, 2018a, 2018b). For all these reasons, this study proposes that occupational status is not positively related to equal practices at home in a linear way, due to the complex interaction between gender and socioeconomic structures.…”

Section: Factors That Promote Involved Fatherhood and Shared Childcarementioning

confidence: 99%

Fathers as Solo Caregivers in Spain: A Choice or a Need?

Fernandez-Lozano

2019

Self Cite

The increase in fathers’ involvement in childcare in Western societies has not translated into an equal distribution of childcare between mothers and fathers. While some couples actually succeed in “undoing gender” when the first child arrives, their characteristics that define them are not yet clear. This article provides four different explanations that contribute to understanding how parents share routine care in Spain, using a sample of dual-earner, heterosexual parents from the Spanish Time Use Survey 2010. The results show that fathers are more likely to be “equal sharers” when they earn less than their spouse; do not hold traditionally masculine jobs (e.g., managers or blue-collar workers); have time available and, more important, their spouses are not available from 5 p.m. onward. In line with previous research, this study provides evidence that dismantles the “myth” that higher status employees, and/or those with college education, are more egalitarian in practice.