Parenthood ideologies and leave practices among Belgian fathers: a typology of parental leave perspectives for Belgian men

ABSTRACT

This study focuses on the role of parenthood ideologies on the micro and meso level as individual determinants to take up parental leave among fathers in Belgium. Belgian parental leave policies are characterized by a ‘laisser faire’ mentality regarding the division of parental leave uptake. Based on in-depth interviews with 20 heterosexual couples our study highlights the impact of norms and values on the individual micro-level and social expectations on a contextual meso-level. We present six ideal-typical categories of fathers’ position towards the uptake of parental leave that is defined by synergies or conflicts between parenthood ideologies on different levels and are ultimately likely to determine the individual decision to take up parental leave. The six positions are empowered parental leave takers, ideological crusaders, ideological renegades, ideological breadwinners, ideological explorers and empowered breadwinners.

KEYWORDS:

• Parental leave
• fatherhood
• Belgium
• qualitative research
• couples

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 The benefit level for 2020 amounted to €750.33 per month after taxation (€834.90 before taxation).

2 The use of idealtypes implies that these cases are usually unrealistic, given a more moderate presence in everyday life.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek [grant number 2ZA821N,43049].

Notes on contributors

Dries Van Gasse

Dries Van Gasse is a doctor in Social Sciences at the University of Antwerp. His domains of interest are single parenthood in the life course and solidarity at a later age. Particular focus is paid to intersectional inequalities. As a qualitative researcher, grounded theory approaches tailored to the study domain are developed and used as a methodological instrument.

Jonas Wood

Jonas Wood is a doctor in Social Sciences at the University of Antwerp who studies family and labour market transitions in Belgium and Europe. Particular attention is paid to varying patterns by population subgroups such as educational groups or different migration backgrounds. In addition, context-contingencies such as the effects of economic cycles and social policies are assessed. In order to disentangle varying family and labour market behaviours by population subgroups and contexts, his research relies on longitudinal quantitative or mixed-method research designs.

Cécile Verdonck

Cécile Verdonck recently completed a MA in Social Sciences at the University of Antwerp.