Our starting point is the large gender gap in time spent directly caring for children in economically developed and relatively gender egalitarian societies like Australia. Things aren't what they were 50 years ago. Mothers, particularly of younger children, are more likely to do paid work than they were in the past. But it's still quite rare for men to be the primary carer of their children. Mothers, on average, still do the bulk of the childcare and the domestic labour, while fathers still tend towards the breadwinner role. In this episode, we go beyond this familiar fact to look at how this still traditional division of labour shakes out in terms of rewards, responsibilities and risks: from the mental load of keeping a family running, unappealing household chores and the more joyful moments of parenting, to the economic impacts for mothers.

Our guests in this episode are Dr Carla Pascoe Leahy, Professor Leah Ruppanner and Professor Miranda Stewart.

Our starting point is the large gender gap in time spent directly caring for children in economically developed and relatively gender egalitarian societies like Australia. Things aren't what they were 50 years ago. Mothers, particularly of younger children, are more likely to do paid work than they were in the past. But it's still quite rare for men to be the primary carer of their children. Mothers, on average, still do the bulk of the childcare and the domestic labour, while fathers still tend towards the breadwinner role. In this episode, we go beyond this familiar fact to look at how this still traditional division of labour shakes out in terms of rewards, responsibilities and risks: from the mental load of keeping a family running, unappealing household chores and the more joyful moments of parenting, to the economic impacts for mothers.
Our guests in this episode are Dr Carla Pascoe Leahy, Professor Leah Ruppanner and Professor Miranda Stewart.

Welcome to Working Fathers, a podcast about dads, families and work. This podcast looks at the many different roles fathers play in contemporary Australian families and society – and how policy can better recognise, value and support fatherhood. We look at the rewards and transformations of fatherhood, the challenges of balancing the demands of work and family, and the sometimes competing demands of being a good father and a good worker. We also explore how policies and practices, from tax law to household chores, continue to shape the daily lives of working fathers and their families. With the help of experts from Australia and overseas, we look at why fathers’ primary role is still breadwinning, how fatherhood has evolved over time, what it might look in the future, and why policies and practices that open up greater choices for working fathers and their families are the key to enhanced wellbeing, a more gender equal society, and fairer workplaces.

Welcome to Working Fathers, a podcast about dads, families and work. This podcast looks at the many different roles fathers play in contemporary Australian families and society – and how policy can better recognise, value and support fatherhood. We look at the rewards and transformations of fatherhood, the challenges of balancing the demands of work and family, and the sometimes competing demands of being a good father and a good worker. We also explore how policies and practices, from tax law to household chores, continue to shape the daily lives of working fathers and their families. With the help of experts from Australia and overseas, we look at why fathers’ primary role is still breadwinning, how fatherhood has evolved over time, what it might look in the future, and why policies and practices that open up greater choices for working fathers and their families are the key to enhanced wellbeing, a more gender equal society, and fairer workplaces.

Working Fathers

Episode 1: Where’s dad?

In this episode, we look at more of the pressures that prevent fathers from being active and equal caregivers in their children's lives. In particular, we look at the gender norms that dictate what it means to be a good man, and the social norms that dictate what it means to be a good worker – and ask what this means for fathers’ capacity to be more active caregivers in their children’s lives. We also look at the experiences of men who defy these norms, the policies that can help shift them, as well as some of the potential benefits of change for dads, partners and families.

Our guests in this episode are Dr Ashlee Borgkvist, Matt Tyler and Associate Professor Linda Barclay.

In this episode, we look at more of the pressures that prevent fathers from being active and equal caregivers in their children's lives. In particular, we look at the gender norms that dictate what it means to be a good man, and the social norms that dictate what it means to be a good worker – and ask what this means for fathers’ capacity to be more active caregivers in their children’s lives. We also look at the experiences of men who defy these norms, the policies that can help shift them, as well as some of the potential benefits of change for dads, partners and families.
Our guests in this episode are Dr Ashlee Borgkvist, Matt Tyler and Associate Professor Linda Barclay.

Episode 4: Give dads a break

What’s next for Australian fathers? In this episode, we look at the future of fatherhood. So far, one thing all of our guests seem to agree on is that, for many families, current arrangements aren't working as well as they could. Expectations on men as fathers are expanding, but without much of a lessening of demands from employers. External factors, like climate change, will see an escalation of disasters that will put additional pressures on families. As people have children later, these demographic shifts mean that families will be less likely to be able to depend on grandparents to help out. In short, policies, practices and norms need to continue to evolve to support the needs of working dads and their families and move us towards more equal opportunities to share care, access more flexible work, and achieve greater family wellbeing.

Our guests in this episode are Professor Leah Ruppanner, Dr Carla Pascoe Leahy and Associate Professor Lee Gettler.

What’s next for Australian fathers? In this episode, we look at the future of fatherhood. So far, one thing all of our guests seem to agree on is that, for many families, current arrangements aren't working as well as they could. Expectations on men as fathers are expanding, but without much of a lessening of demands from employers. External factors, like climate change, will see an escalation of disasters that will put additional pressures on families. As people have children later, these demographic shifts mean that families will be less likely to be able to depend on grandparents to help out. In short, policies, practices and norms need to continue to evolve to support the needs of working dads and their families and move us towards more equal opportunities to share care, access more flexible work, and achieve greater family wellbeing.
Our guests in this episode are Professor Leah Ruppanner, Dr Carla Pascoe Leahy and Associate Professor Lee Gettler.

Episode 5: What’s next?

How much freedom do fathers have? Do fathers have real choices when it comes to decisions about how to divide their time between paid work and caring for the kids at home? And where do government and organisational policies fit in? One of the major societal changes of the past century has been the rise of female employment, particularly in the peak child rearing.  But over the same period, there has been much less change in men's employment rates. Why hasn't the rise in women's employment been accompanied by a drop in men's employment? And why is part time work still so much less common among men than it is among women? One answer is that the patterns we're seeing here are just the product of free choices. But choices are never made in a vacuum, and freedom of choice comes in degrees. In this episode, we look at the laws, policies, and organisational practices that constrain dads’ choices.

Our guests in this episode are Professor Miranda Stewart and Professor Heejung Chung.

How much freedom do fathers have? Do fathers have real choices when it comes to decisions about how to divide their time between paid work and caring for the kids at home? And where do government and organisational policies fit in? One of the major societal changes of the past century has been the rise of female employment, particularly in the peak child rearing.  But over the same period, there has been much less change in men's employment rates. Why hasn't the rise in women's employment been accompanied by a drop in men's employment? And why is part time work still so much less common among men than it is among women? One answer is that the patterns we're seeing here are just the product of free choices. But choices are never made in a vacuum, and freedom of choice comes in degrees. In this episode, we look at the laws, policies, and organisational practices that constrain dads’ choices.
Our guests in this episode are Professor Miranda Stewart and Professor Heejung Chung.

Episode 1: Where’s dad?

In 1 playlist(s)

Working Fathers

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips