How Entry into Parenthood Shapes Gender Role Attitudes: New Evidence from The UK
利用英国纵向数据，研究发现成为父母后女性的性别角色态度显著趋于传统，而男性态度不变；产前态度进步的父母在产后态度传统化更明显，且与产后分工传统程度相关。
People’s attitudes about how paid and unpaid work should be divided between the members of a couple determine gendered socioeconomic outcomes to a great extent. It is thus important to understand how gender role attitudes (GRA) are formed and evolve. This article concentrates on a path-breaking event in life: becoming a parent. Using longitudinal data from the United Kingdom, the study shows that, in general, becoming a parent significantly shifts women’s GRA toward more traditional positions but leaves men’s attitudes unaffected. Prenatal attitudes are a critical factor. After parenthood occurs, results find a substantial traditionalization of attitudes for (both) progressive parents, while no significant change is observed for parents with conservative prenatal attitudes. Novel analyses show that the traditionalization of attitudes for progressive individuals, after they become parents, is stronger as postnatal arrangements in the division of paid and unpaid work are more traditional.HIGHLIGHTSGender role attitudes (GRA) become more conservative once one becomes a parent.Progressive prenatal GRA and traditional postnatal settings are key determinants.Cognitive dissonance and changes in gender identity are two potential mechanisms.Results suggest that traditional institutions can foster conservative GRA.More childcare services, paternity leaves, and part-time work for men are needed.