If I [Take] Leave, Will You Stay? Paternity Leave and Relationship Stability

Recent European studies suggest that fathers’ leave-taking may contribute to parental relationship stability. Paternity leave-taking may signal a commitment by fathers toward a greater investment in family life, which may reduce the burden on mothers and strengthen parental relationships. This study...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of social policy 2020-10, Vol.49 (4), p.829-849
Main Authors: PETTS, RICHARD J., CARLSON, DANIEL L., KNOESTER, CHRIS
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Childhood
Couples
Division of labor
Divisions
Egalitarianism
Employment
Families & family life
Family & Medical Leave Act 1993-US
Family leave
Family stability
Fathers
Labor force
Maternity & paternity leaves
Mothers
Parents & parenting
Paternity
Quality
Roles
Social policy
Stability
Women
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Summary:Recent European studies suggest that fathers’ leave-taking may contribute to parental relationship stability. Paternity leave-taking may signal a commitment by fathers toward a greater investment in family life, which may reduce the burden on mothers and strengthen parental relationships. This study uses longitudinal data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort (ECLS-B) to analyze the association between paternity leave-taking and relationship stability in the United States. Results indicate that paternity leave-taking, and taking relatively short leaves (i.e. two weeks or less) in particular, is associated with greater relationship stability. These findings increase our understanding of the potential benefits of paternity leave, and can inform policy decisions that aim to increase family stability.
ISSN:0047-2794
1469-7823
DOI:10.1017/S0047279419000928