Fathers and child rearing: part -time and parental leave in men still in the minority

Von NAG Redaktion

The traditional distribution of roles in German partnerships, in which the mothers take care of the children and the fathers go to work, remains despite the social and political desire for equal relationship and child education models. Although there are legal regulations that allow fathers to reduce working hours or take a break to take care of their children, only a few use of them.

According to the Federal Statistical Office, almost two thirds of all working women (65.5 percent) worked part -time in 2020, while only 7.1 percent of fathers worked part -time. This number has hardly changed in the past ten years. This results in disadvantages for women in relation to their professional career and later pension payments, since part -time employees often receive fewer pension than full -time employees.

There are also differences between women and men on parental leave. In 2022, only a quarter of the fathers took parental leave on average of 3.6 months, while women remained on average 14.6 months in the child.

It is primarily due to men to change these inequalities and to demand more time for their children. There is already a legal right to parental leave and part -time to the employer. Due to the shortage of skilled workers, companies also have to try more and more to support employees in the compatibility of job and family in order to be successful in the competition for qualified staff.

However, men also have to learn to overcome traditional role models and accept that they may no longer be the main earner. The change of diaper and take care of the baby does not bring salary up or promotion with it. Political framework laws can hardly change this.

The following table shows the part -time rates of mothers and fathers in 2010 and 2020:

| Year | Part -time quota mothers | Part -time rate fathers |
| —— | —————- | —————- |
| 2010 | 64.2% | 5.4% |
| 2020 | 65.5% | 7.1% |

It becomes clear that the part -time quota for mothers has only increased slightly, while it remains low in fathers.

It is time for men to become active and get more involved in childcare. It is also time for companies to offer family -friendly measures and flexible work models to support men in their desire for more time for the family. Traditional role models can only be overcome through a common effort and an equal division of educational and gainful employment can be achieved.


Source: Berliner Morgenpost/OTS