COMBINING EMPLOYMENT AND PARENTHOOD - A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF INTENTIONS OF DUTCH YOUNG-ADULTS

This paper examines the intentions of Dutch males and females with reg ard to combining paid employment and parenthood. Four models of how co uples combine these roles are distinguished. Panel data from a represe ntative survey among Dutch young adults show that the traditional mode l (the female takes care of the children and the male works full-time) is becoming less popular, whereas the supplementary model (the female takes care of the children and supplements the labor force participat ion of the male), and the egalitarian model (both partners share paid labor more or less equally) are becoming more popular. The no-child mo del is preferred by about 10% of the respondents. A multivariate analy sis shows that both job characteristics, like the flexibility of worki ng hours, and gender role attitudes are important predictors of intent ions with regard to combining family and work roles.