Abstract

This study aimed to explore the circumstances and considerations that lead to the allocation of family roles among male carer/female breadwinner families in comparison to traditional parents. A sample of 236 parents with children from birth to 5 years old completed extensive questionnaires about their daily routines and perceptions of their division of responsibilities. Economic considerations or labor market constraints were mentioned as main reasons by parents in both traditional and role-reversed arrangements, however, parents in traditional roles were more likely to mention suitability for the role as a key consideration. The results further showed that main caregivers—fathers and mothers alike—had a higher perception of choice over the allocation of roles and were significantly more satisfied with their division than main breadwinners. The majority of breadwinners wished they could work fewer hours, and breadwinning mothers, more than fathers, wished their partner could work more hours. The findings also shed light on the relationship between perception of choice, satisfaction with the current arrangement and preference for a change in the future.

摘要

这项研究旨在探讨与传统父母相比，导致在男性照顾者/女性养家者家庭中分配家庭角色的情况和考虑因素。抽样调查了236名有出生至5岁儿童的父母，完成了有关其日常工作和对职责分工的看法的广泛调查表。在传统安排和角色颠倒安排中，父母都提到经济因素或劳动力市场限制是主要原因，但是，传统角色的父母更有可能提到适合担任该角色的主要考虑因素。结果进一步表明，主要照顾者（父亲和母亲都如此）对角色分配的选择感更高，并且比主要养家糊口的人对他们的分工更加满意。大多数养家糊口的人希望自己的工作时间更少，而养家糊口的母亲（而不是父亲）希望自己的伴侣可以工作更多的时间。这些发现还阐明了选择的感知，对当前安排的满意度和对未来变化的偏好之间的关系。