Dads want to do more caregiving. But here’s how workplaces hold them back

The report from the Better Life Lab at the think tank New America highlights the tension between caregiving responsibilities and work obligations, noting that men face similar hurdles to women in this regard. Despite some progress, men are still less likely to take paid leave and are more likely to miss work or reduce their work hours due to caregiving responsibilities.

While six in ten fathers express interest in staying home full-time, only about 40% actually split caregiving responsibilities equally with their partners. Barriers to being the kind of parent they want to be include job and financial situations, with higher-paying men being more likely to face these challenges. Additionally, men report feeling a lack of control over their schedules, with only about 40% currently having the option to work remotely or with a hybrid arrangement.

The survey also found that work obligations interfere with family time for a majority of parents and caregivers. Interestingly, men are missing work or cutting back on their work hours at higher rates due to caregiving, with the share of men missing work due to care obligations rising from 64% in 2019 to 76% in the current year.

Men are also more likely to take parental leave in states with robust leave programs, suggesting that supportive workplace culture and policies play a crucial role in shaping the caregiver experience. However, women still bear the greatest burden of caregiving strain, sacrificing their careers more often than men.