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Britain’s slow movement to a gender egalitarian equilibrium: parents and employment in the UK 2001–13

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Connolly

    (University of East Anglia, UK)

  • Matthew Aldrich

    (University of East Anglia, UK)

  • Margaret O’Brien

    (UCL Institute of Education, UK)

  • Svetlana Speight

    (National Centre for Social Research, UK)

  • Eloise Poole

    (Arts Council England, UK)

Abstract

This article examines the working lives of British couple families across the first decade of the millennium using EU Labour Force Survey data (2001–13) taking a multiple equilibria approach. Some growth in dual full-time earners, increased working hours of mothers in part-time employment and a growing proportion of households with ‘non-standard’ working patterns are all identified, suggesting both a convergence and greater diversity in economic provisioning within parent couple households. Household employment patterns remain strongly associated with maternal education and family size but are becoming less sensitive to the age of the youngest child. The dual full-time earner model is growing in significance for British parents of young children but a new gender egalitarian equilibrium has not yet been reached.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Connolly & Matthew Aldrich & Margaret O’Brien & Svetlana Speight & Eloise Poole, 2016. "Britain’s slow movement to a gender egalitarian equilibrium: parents and employment in the UK 2001–13," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 30(5), pages 838-857, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:30:y:2016:i:5:p:838-857
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017016638009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Creighton, Colin, 1999. "The Rise and Decline of the 'Male Breadwinner Family' in Britain," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 23(5), pages 519-541, September.
    5. Christian Dustmann & Tommaso Frattini, 2014. "The Fiscal and Welfare Effects of Immigration: Introduction," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 124(580), pages 565-568, November.
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