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In a groundbreaking study published in the British Journal of Social Psychology, researchers have highlighted the impact of parental leave policies on young adults’ perceptions of childcare responsibilities. The study, led by Prof. Simon Schindler from the Federal University of Applied Administrative Sciences, Germany, examined how the availability of parental leave in different countries shapes young people’s views on how childcare duties should be divided between mothers and fathers.
The research involved a comprehensive survey of 19,259 university students, of whom 11,924 were women, from 48 countries. The findings indicate that in countries where parental leave policies are in place, young adults are more likely to believe that childcare should be equally shared between both parents. Moreover, they perceive that the actual division of childcare is more equitable in these countries compared to those without such policies.
Key Findings:
- Participants in countries with available parental leave were more likely to believe that childcare should be divided equally between mothers and fathers.
- These same participants also perceived that childcare duties are more equally distributed in reality, though the researchers noted a delay in this belief becoming widespread.
The researchers suggest that the presence of parental leave serves as a normative signal, shaping public opinion on what is considered the “right” thing to do in terms of childcare division. However, they noted that the actual behavior of people tends to change more slowly, with time needed for the policy’s effects to be fully integrated into everyday practice.
Prof. Schindler emphasized that while the study provides empirical evidence supporting the idea that policies can influence social norms, it also opens the possibility that existing social norms can, in turn, shape policymaking. “Our findings provide empirical support for the expressive function of policy,” Schindler noted, although he cautioned that the cross-sectional nature of the data prevents conclusions about direct causal relationships between policy changes and shifts in social behavior.
Implications for Policymaking: The study’s insights could be valuable for policymakers looking to promote gender equality in family dynamics. By implementing policies like parental leave, governments can send a strong signal about the importance of shared childcare responsibilities, potentially driving long-term changes in social norms.
While the study highlights the potential for policies to shape societal expectations, the researchers call for further longitudinal studies to better understand the long-term effects of such policies on behavior and family dynamics.
This research underlines the intricate link between policymaking and social norms, providing valuable perspectives for those advocating for gender-equitable policies worldwide.
Reference: Schindler, S., et al. (2024) Policy as normative influence? On the relationship between parental leave policy and social norms in gender division of childcare across 48 countries. British Journal of Social Psychology. doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12806.
