Gender ideology and work-family plans of the next generation

Abstract

This chapter examines gender and ideological differences in work-family balance expectations of adolescents and emerging adults. The chapter examines relevant research discussing such considerations, in addition to using data from two studies to further illustrate the chapter topic. In both studies (one using 15-year-olds, one using college undergraduates), individuals expected to balance work and family in a traditional, gendered way, with men expecting to work full-time before and after children, and women expecting to reduce/end working outside the home after children. Before children, both male and female emerging adults with traditional gender ideologies reported fewer hours of work than those who were more egalitarian. After children, gender ideology was important for female but not male work expectations: For young women, more traditional gender ideology predicted greater expectations of part-rather than full-time employment. Otherwise, gender ideology operated similarly for both genders. Idealized expectations were also evident, as both young men and women reported planning on sharing primary caregiving responsibilities, despite endorsing a traditional gendered employment pattern. Implications for gender inequality in the workforce and potential consequences for the next generation are also discussed.