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Fathers, Families, and Society: A Two-Decade Systematic Literature Review on the Contexts and Consequences of Paternity and Parental Leave for Fathers

Author

Listed:
  • Stéfanie André

    (Department of Public Administration, Nijmegen School of Management, Radboud University, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

  • Nola Cammu

    (Department of Public Administration, Nijmegen School of Management, Radboud University, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands)

  • Eline Meuleman

    (Health Sciences, VU Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

This systematic literature review assesses two decades of the literature on paternity and parental leave for fathers. We developed a conceptual framework that broadens the understanding of why fathers (do not) use paternity and/or parental leave, and the outcomes of men’s leave uptake for fathers, families, and society. Drawing on Bourdieu’s social reproduction theory, we use social, economic, and cultural capital as sensitizing concepts in our analysis. Regarding contextual circumstances , paternity and parental leave most often appear to be used by fathers with higher levels of economic, cultural, and social capital, and with a stronger father identity. With regard to consequences of taking leave, the literature suggests that fathers are not only affected at the micro level (e.g., in their paternal involvement) but also at the meso level (relationship with partner and children) with (potential) consequences at the societal level. We welcome family researchers to further develop and test our conceptual framework when studying the contexts and consequences of paternity leave and parental leave for fathers.

Suggested Citation

  • Stéfanie André & Nola Cammu & Eline Meuleman, 2025. "Fathers, Families, and Society: A Two-Decade Systematic Literature Review on the Contexts and Consequences of Paternity and Parental Leave for Fathers," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-25, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:14:y:2025:i:3:p:168-:d:1609201
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Arna Olafsson & Herdis Steingrimsdottir, 2020. "How Does Daddy at Home Affect Marital Stability?," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 130(629), pages 1471-1500.
    2. Shelly Lundberg & Robert A. Pollak, 1996. "Bargaining and Distribution in Marriage," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 10(4), pages 139-158, Fall.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alenka Švab & Živa Humer, 2026. "Between Supportive and Involved Fatherhood in Slovenia," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 14.
    2. Øystein Kravdal, 2025. "Should we be concerned about low fertility? A discussion of six possible arguments," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 53(14), pages 373-418.
    3. Meil, Gerardo & Romero-Balsas, Pedro & Dörfler-Bolt, Sonja & Escobedo, Anna & Ivanova, Dimitrina & Mauerer, Gerlinde & Moss, Peter & Perez-Vaisvidovsky, Nadav & Reimer, Thordis, 2025. "Towards a comprehensive terminology on paid parenting leave," SocArXiv wkuam_v1, Center for Open Science.

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