Impacts on gender roles

• Maternity and paternity leave

  • 9 months paid leave reinforces traditional role of female as primary care giver
  • Introduction of shared paternity leave > acknowledges role of father > allows parents to split parental leave
  • Both partners eligible for 13 weeks off in first 5 years of child's life for caring responsibilities
• Increased divorce and negotiated family

  • More insecurity in family life
  • Gender roles need to be equal in negotiated family > men more likely to do domestic labour
  • Women expected to pursue a career and contribute to family income
• Increased career opportunities

  • Equal pay act and sex discrimination act > gender roles more equal due to women's employment
  • Equality act = people can't discriminate on any grounds > allows women to have higher career aspirations
• Availability of care

  • Working tax credits help pay for after-school and breakfast clubs > removes social expectation of women to stop working
  • Men pick up and drop off children to childcare settings
  • Sure Start centres provide father and baby clubs to help men bond more with their children