An in-depth analysis of new parents’ experiences with parental leave, family care, work, intimacy, and gender equity.

Through a longitudinal qualitative comparative analysis of mixed-sex parent couples in England who do (not) share parental leave post birth of their first child, Caring is Sharing? explores how these couples make parental leave decisions during their transition into parenthood, as well as how these decisions shape their work and family care practices during and after leave. The study shows that men's and women’s visions and practices of family life are rooted in ideals of appropriate intimate relations and negotiated with real and imagined reactions from peers, wider family, and colleagues in a highly gendered UK. In so doing, this book highlights the intersections of intimacy and equality, contributing to debates around the stalled gender revolution and using UK parental leave policies to drive effective change in gender relations and family life.

Katherine Twamley is professor of sociology at the UCL Social Research Institute.

Lists of figures and tables
Acknowledgements
Key terms
Notes on transcription

1 The promise of shared parental leave: introduction to the study

Part I Decisions around parental leave
2 Encountering barriers to the take-up of shared parental leave: ‘non-sharers’
3 Why and how some couples decide to share leave: ‘sharers’

Part II Experiences of the leave period
4 Non-sharers’ experiences and practices during the first year after their child is born
5 Leave sharers’ experiences and practices during the first year after their child is born

Part III After the leave is over
6 Breadwinning fathers and primary care mothers
7 Mothers as family managers
8 Parents sharing responsibilities of paid and unpaid work
9 Does shared parental leave live up to its promise?

Concluding thoughts

Appendix: Analysis methods
References
Index