The Effect of Pregnancy on Engagement with Politics. Toward a Model of the Political Consequences of the Earliest Stages of Parenthood

Abstract

How do pregnancy and childbirth affect engagement in politics and society? Our data from a large-scale citizen panel record political engagement before, during, and after pregnancy for (future) mothers and fathers. We find that women demobilize from politics and societal issues during pregnancy. This disengagement is strongest for indicators of political participation and seeking of political news. Our analysis also shows that gender gaps in political engagement are not only strengthened but also partly created in the earliest stages of parenthood. Although the effects are relatively minor, they are robust to various analysis techniques. Some effects also last until the child grows older. Pregnancy and childbirth rarely lead to political mobilization, and when they do, they concern child-related activities, such as attempts to change daycare providers, but only at later stages of early parenthood.

A Longitudinal Dyadic Study of Six Leisure Activities in Swedish Couples During the Transition to Parenthood

“…Previous studies during the transition to parenthood found that parents report a lower frequency of physical activity and engagement in politics (Abbasi & van den Akker, 2015;Naurin et al, 2022;Sjögren Forss & Stjernberg, 2019). Beyond a general decrease in leisure activities, there may also be gender differences during this transition.…”

“…In addition, we found that fathers were also more likely to listen to the news on the radio, podcasts, or TV. Male partners of pregnant women maintain engagement in politics and societal issues during a pregnancy more so than pregnant women (Naurin et al, 2022), so expectant fathers may be more prone to interact with the news.…”

“…However, following from this, it is possible that past research during this life transition, by focusing on mothers alone, has underestimated effects on the father. As a result, less may be known about the consequences of pregnancy and childbirth for fathers, including but not limited to changes in attitudes (Buchler et al, 2017) and parental burnout (Roskam & Mikolajczak, 2020), and whether fathers who do experience these changes "bounce back" quicker than mothers (Bhatti et al, 2019;Naurin et al, 2022).…”

Sexual Identities and the Role of Marriage in Social Movement Activism

“…Exposure to heterosexist discrimination may alter the marriage dynamics (Egan 2012; Proctor 2022) while specific socio-political factors can also be behind these results (Lewis, Rogers, and Sherrill 2011; Swank 2019; Turnbull-Dugarte, and McMillan 2023). Also, being pregnant and having children can lessen political participation (Naurin, Stolle, and Markstedt 2023). The effect of pregnancy on engagement with politics toward a model of the political consequences of the earliest stages of parenthood (Naurin, Stolle, and Markstedt 2023) and same-sex couples have less children than heterosexual couples.…”

“…Also, being pregnant and having children can lessen political participation (Naurin, Stolle, and Markstedt 2023). The effect of pregnancy on engagement with politics toward a model of the political consequences of the earliest stages of parenthood (Naurin, Stolle, and Markstedt 2023) and same-sex couples have less children than heterosexual couples. The data was collected during the height of LGBT activism around marriage rights, and the level of activism among same-sex married couples might lessen when LGB marriages become more normalized throughout society.…”