The report, which was
recently published 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."