Book Chapter

Väter in Elternzeit in Deutschland: Analysen mit dem Mikrozensus 1999-2005 [CD-ROM]

Geisler, E., Kreyenfeld, M. R.
Fathers on parental leave in Germany: analyses with the microcensus 1999-2005 [CD-ROM]
In: Soeffner, H.-G. (Ed.): Unsichere Zeiten: Herausforderungen gesellschaftlicher Transformationen; Verhandlungen des 34. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Soziologie in Jena 2008
Wiesbaden, VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften (2010)

Abstract

This article investigates fathers’ use of parental leave in Germany by drawing on data from the German microcensus 1999-2005. Special attention is given to the role that education has in leave taking behavior. Since many studies show that there is a positive association between education and liberal gender role attitudes, we study whether it is mainly the group of highly educated fathers that can be found on parental leave. The results do not show a significant effect of men’s education on leave taking behavior. In fact, we find that the relative resources between the partners are a strong predictor of fathers’ usage of parental leave. Men who are lower educated or younger than their female partners are more likely to be on parental leave. Furthermore, employment conditions are found to be important for the decision to use parental leave. A temporary work contract lowers the chances of being on leave while men who are employed in the public sector are more likely to be on parental leave.
Keywords: Germany, employment, father, parents
The Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) in Rostock is one of the leading demographic research centers in the world. It's part of the Max Planck Society, the internationally renowned German research society.