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.

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