Nachrichten paper on the same in Germany and if so I'll let you know. I wouldn't claim that astronomy and geophysics are good, but on our figures they're certainly better than other physical sciences at all levels, something that isn't easily explained (I don't know how to post a shortened link to the survey but you can see it at http://www.ras.org.uk/images/stories/ras\\... ). Until we crack getting the proportion of girls studying A level physics much above 20%, I don't know how we can expect to see a big improvement across the HE system. I really don't think we can set aside financial considerations for parents here. If you earn a similar amount or a little more than your partner, then taking statutory parental leave sees your weekly income drop by at least 40%. In those circumstances it's hardly surprising that people are hard headed about these decisions, whatever the merits of the underlying principle (increasingly I do know of friends where the father took more time off as the lower earner). If employers had to pay for parental leave at 90% maternity for a decent period (not the six weeks women mostly get, followed by under 600 a month) then it might be possible to have more of the sharing of responsibilities envisaged. Though we shouldn't pretend that it'll be cheap nor that it delivers many immediate economic benefits -- just that it's a case of doing the right thing despite that. Then yes, I quite agree that all the