Fathers and Parental Leave

Attitudes and Experiences

Bibliographic Data

ID2346321
AuthorsJanet Shibley Hyde (0000-0001-7372-3902, University of Wisconsin), Marilyn J Essex (0000-0002-5480-1554, University of Wisconsin), Francine Horton (University of Wisconsin)
Year1993
Volume14
Issue4
Pages616-638
Publication date1993-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Family Issues (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0192-513X • E-ISSN: 1552-5481
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/019251393014004008
OpenAlexW2129837870
LanguageEN
Citations received47
References cited15

This research examined the parental leave-taking behaviors and attitudes of a sample of 550 U.S. men whose wives/partners were pregnant, in a longitudinal design that assessed them during the middle trimester of pregnancy, 1 month after the birth, and 4 months after the birth. Identity theory provided the theoretical framework. The fathers' mean length of leave was 5 days, with 71% of fathers taking 5 or fewer days; 91% of fathers took at least some leave. Generally both men and women were strong supporters of job-guaranteed parental leave for fathers, although opinions were mixed about paid parental leave for fathers. The employer's policy regarding length of leave was a significant predictor of the length of leave taken. As predicted by identity theory, sex role attitudes predicted length of leave; supervisor/co-worker attitudes were marginally significant predictors. As predicted by our analysis of the good-provider model and the father involvement model, fathers holding egalitarian sex role attitudes and high in family salience took the longest leaves

Developmental psychology · Longitudinal study · Parental leave · Emotional Labor in Professions · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Work-Family Balance Challenges

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