Gender roles and parenthood

Although parents often plan on caring for a child together, in practice it is often women who stop working to be able to take care of a child. Dr Ruth van Veelen (Social, Health & Organisational Psychology) explains why in the NRC.

Gender roles in the Netherlands

"Gender roles are still stubborn in the Netherlands," says Van Veelen. For this reason, many mothers do more unpaid care work and fathers more paid work. This is also because parents receive 'penalty points' if they do not live up to expectations: a father who stays at home is a "nice loser" and a mother who works fulltime is a "dominant bitch".

Another important factor is the employer. "Employers - often unconsciously - ask different questions of men than of women when a child is on the way," says Van Veelen. Women are expected to work less, while the expectations for future fathers cause them to be offered a raise or promotion.