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Adelaide
06-20-2013, 12:12 PM
The report, which was recently published (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/josi.12018/full) in the Journal of Social Issues' special series on the "flexibility stigma," suggests that men who defy gender roles and get actively involved at home pay a steep penalty at work.

"Results showed that caregiving fathers experience more harassment and mistreatment than traditional fathers and men without children," note the authors, including Jennifer L. Berdahl from UofT's Rotman School of Management.

"Men who do the low-status 'feminine' work of childcare and housework are likely to be seen as failed men. They are also likely to be seen as having their dedication split between work and home, and therefore as bad workers," the authors note, adding that caregiving fathers are often seen as "wimps" with wives who "wear the pants."


Caregiving fathers stigmatized at work, says UofT study (http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2013/06/fathers-who-prioritize-family-stigmatized-at-work-uoft.html)

This is interesting, because often people focus on how parenting and childrearing impacts women in the workforce, but it looks as though through this study they've realised that there are drawbacks for men, as well.

Peter1469
06-20-2013, 12:30 PM
In a way yes; when you take time off work to care for children your career suffers (typically). Men may have it worse in that regard because they are bucking tradition and stereotype.


I am not sure if there is a realistic solution; businesses are not in business to allow their employees to take care of children rather than working.

You see this dynamic in big law firms. They typically have a standard of 2000 billable hours per year. If you don't meet that, for whatever reason, you don't get considered for partner.

roadmaster
06-20-2013, 10:28 PM
I am not sure if there is a realistic solution; businesses are not in business to allow their employees to take care of children rather than working.
Correct, woman already know how it feels to be pressured.