Allocation of Family Leaves in Different Families and the Family Leave Reforms

The take-up of father’s quota, a paternity leave aiming for independent childcare and taken after the fathers’ parental leave, increased significantly after the 2013 parental leave reform. However, only around 45% of fathers use the father’s quota, and 43% of fathers who use the quota use it in full.

This research project examines the allocation of family leaves in families with children by using both register data and survey data. Fathers’ use of family leaves, things preventing them from using family leave, and the associated factors are of particular interest. Furthermore, the study also focuses on diverse families, such as families with parents of the same sex and divorce families. In addition, we are interested in the changes in fathers’ use of family leaves after the 2022 family leave reform. We use survey data to investigate the role the fathers’ values, attitudes, and conceptions of gender roles in their use and intention to use parental leave. Does the change in fatherhood reflect in the connection between attitudes and use of family leave?

Researchers

• Miia Saarikallio-Torp, Leading Researcher
• Anneli Miettinen

Project Implementation Period

1.12.2021–31.12.2025