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https://doi.org/10.1080/14616696.2020.1833229
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Parenthood as a driver of increased gender inequality during COVID-19? Exploratory evidence from Germany
[journal article]
Abstract
Drawing on three waves of survey data from a non-probability sample from Germany, this paper examines two opposing expectations about the pandemic’s impacts on gender equality: The optimistic view suggests that gender equality has increased, as essential workers in Germany have been predominantly fe... view more
Drawing on three waves of survey data from a non-probability sample from Germany, this paper examines two opposing expectations about the pandemic’s impacts on gender equality: The optimistic view suggests that gender equality has increased, as essential workers in Germany have been predominantly female and as fathers have had more time for childcare. The pessimistic view posits that lockdowns have also negatively affected women’s jobs and that mothers had to shoulder the additional care responsibilities. Overall, our exploratory analyses provide more evidence supporting the latter view. Parents were more likely than non-parents to work fewer hours during the pandemic than before, and mothers were more likely than fathers to work fewer hours once lockdowns were lifted. Moreover, even though parents tended to divide childcare more evenly, at least temporarily, mothers still shouldered more childcare work than fathers. The division of housework remained largely unchanged. It is therefore unsurprising that women, in particular mothers, reported lower satisfaction during the observation period. Essential workers experienced fewer changes in their working lives than respondents in other occupations.... view less
Keywords
Federal Republic of Germany; affirmative action; division of labor; gender-specific factors; motherhood; family; multiple stress; satisfaction; job situation; inequality
Classification
Women's Studies, Feminist Studies, Gender Studies
Family Sociology, Sociology of Sexual Behavior
Free Keywords
COVID-19
Document language
English
Publication Year
2021
Page/Pages
S658-S673
Journal
European Societies, 23 (2021) S1
ISSN
1469-8307
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed