Parents at work : Men and women participating in the labour force

In this statistical paper, we focus on the relationship between parenthood and employment. We look into various related aspects and for each of those aspects we contrast men and women to investigate gender differences. The main aspects analysed include: employment rate differences between parents and non-parents; working hours among parents and non-parents; gender inequalities with regard to work interruption and parental leave; and attitudes towards parental involvement in work and care. This short statistical report is part of a series of reports on gender equality in the work force and reconciliation of work, family and private life. These reports have been commissioned by the Justice Directorate General of the European Commission. The study was jointly undertaken by RAND Europe and the University of Groningen. These reports should be of relevance to policy makers and academics with an interest in improving gender equality in the work force and improving the compatibility of having a career in combination with a family and private life.