Parenthood Penalties in Academia: Childcare Responsibilities, Gender Role Beliefs and Institutional Support
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ID: 282662
2025
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Abstract
Despite progress toward gender parity, women remain underrepresented in
academia, particularly in senior research positions. This study investigates
the role of parenthood in shaping gender disparities in academic careers,
focusing on the complex interplay between gender, childcare responsibilities,
gender role beliefs, institutional support, and scientists' career
achievements. Using a large-scale survey of 5,670 U.S. and Canadian academics,
supplemented with bibliometric data from Web of Science, it reveals that
childcare responsibilities significantly mediate gender disparities in both
subjective and objective academic achievements, with women assuming a
disproportionate share of childcare duties. In particular, women shoulder a
greater caregiving load when their partners are employed full-time outside
academia. However, egalitarian gender role beliefs have been playing an
important role in shifting this structure by transforming women academics'
behaviors. As women's egalitarian gender role beliefs strengthen, their
childcare responsibilities tend to diminish-an effect not mirrored in men.
Institutional parental support policies show mixed effects. While flexible work
schedules and childcare support can mitigate the negative association between
childcare responsibilities and career outcomes of women academics, policies
such as tenure clock extensions and paternity leave may inadvertently intensify
it. Addressing these disparities necessitates a comprehensive approach that
integrates shifts in individual attitudes, broader sociocultural changes, and
policy improvements.
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| Authors | Xi Hong; Xiang Zheng; Haimiao Yuan; Chaoqun Ni |
| Journal | arXiv |
| Year | 2025 |
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