Väterzeit -das elterngeld als beschleuniger von gleichstellung?

Abstract

This contribution centres on men who claim parental leave benefits in the federal states of Bavaria, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein. The analyses are based on register data collected by local authorities for children born between 2007 and 2009. First, it is asked about the determinants underlying the take-up of fathers' parental leave benefits. Then, couples with different durations of fathers' parental leave are investigated more closely. Fathers' decision to take any parental leave follows essentially economic considerations within the couple. Female partners' employment and their relative earnings have a positive impact. Couples where fathers' parental leave exceeds the "daddy quota" represent quite a select group that has become smaller over time. Living in a non-marital union or in a large city, having more children as well as female partners' particular situation (e.g., self-employment, in education) facilitate a longer parental leave of fathers. © 2010 Verlag Barbara Budrich -Impressum.