Policy as normative influence? On the relationship between parental leave policy and social norms in gender division of childcare across 48 countries
Authors: Schindler Simon , Schuster Carolin , Olsson Maria I. T. , Froehlich Laura , Hübner Ann‐Kathrin , Block Katharina , Van Laar Colette , Schmader Toni , Meeussen Loes , van Grootel Sanne , Croft Alyssa , Sun Molly Shuyi , Ainsaar Mare , Aarntzen Lianne , Adamus Magdalena , Anderson Joel , Atkinson Ciara , Avicenna Mohamad , Bąbel Przemysław , Barth Markus , Benson‐Greenwald Tessa , Maloku Edona , Berent Jacques , Bergsieker Hilary B. , Biernat Monica , Birneanu Andreea , Bodinaku Blerta , Bosak Janine , Bosson Jennifer , Branković Marija , Burkauskas Julius , Čavojová Vladimíra , Cheryan Sapna , Choi Eunsoo , Choi Incheol , Contreras‐Ibáñez Carlos C. , Coogan Andrew , Danyliuk Ivan , Dar‐Nimrod Ilan , Dasgupta Nilanjana , de Lemus Soledad , Devos Thierry , Diab Marwan , Diekman Amanda B. , Efremova Maria , Eisner Léïla , Eller Anja , Erentaite Rasa , Fedáková Denisa , Franc Renata , Gartzia Leire , Gavreliuc Alin , Gavreliuc Dana , Gecaite‐Stonciene Julija , Germano Adriana L. , Giovannelli Ilaria , Gismondi Diaz Renzo , Gitikhmayeva Lyudmila , Gizaw Abiy Menkir , Gjoneska Biljana , González Omar Martínez , González Roberto , Grijalva Isaac David , Güngör Derya , Gustafsson Sendén Marie , Hall William , Harb Charles , Hassan Bushra , Hässler Tabea , Hawi Diala R. , Henningsen Levke , Hoppe Annedore , Ishii Keiko , Jakšić Ivana , Jasini Alba , Jurkevičienė Jurgita , Kelmendi Kaltrina , Kirby Teri A. , Kitakaji Yoko , Kosakowska‐Berezecka Natasza , Kozytska Inna , Kulich Clara , Kundtová‐Klocová Eva , Kunuroglu Filiz , Aidy Christina Lapytskaia , Lee Albert , Lindqvist Anna , López‐López Wilson , Luzvinda Liany , Maricchiolo Fridanna , Martinot Delphine , McNamara Rita Anne , Meister Alyson , Melka Tizita Lemma , Mickuviene Narseta , Miranda‐Orrego María Isabel , Mkamwa Thadeus , Morandini James , Morton Thomas , Mrisho David , Nikitin Jana , Otten Sabine , Pacilli Maria Giuseppina , Page‐Gould Elizabeth , Perandrés‐Gómez Ana , Pizarro Jon , Pop‐Jordanova Nada , Pyrkosz‐Pacyna Joanna , Quta Sameir , Ramis TamilSelvan , Rani Nitya , Redersdorff Sandrine , Régner Isabelle , Renström Emma A. , Rivera‐Rodriguez Adrian , Esmeralda Rocha‐Sánchez Tania , Ryabichenko Tatiana , Saab Rim , Sakata Kiriko , Samekin Adil , Sánchez‐Pacheco Tracy , Scheifele Carolin , Schulmeyer Marion K. , Sczesny Sabine , Sirlopú David , Smith‐Castro Vanessa , Soo Kadri , Spaccatini Federica , Steele Jennifer R. , Steffens Melanie C. , Sucic Ines , Vandello Joseph , Velásquez‐Díaz Laura Maria , Vink Melissa , Vives Eva , Warkineh Turuwark Zalalam , Žeželj Iris , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Zhao Xian , Koc Yasin , Kocak Ömer Erdem , Martiny Sarah E. 
Published: October 2024

In the present work, we addressed the relationship between parental leave policies and social norms. Using a pre‐registered, cross‐national approach, we examined the relationship between parental leave policies and the perception of social norms for the gender division of childcare. In this study, 19,259 students (11,924 women) from 48 countries indicated the degree to which they believe childcare is (descriptive norm) and should be (prescriptive norm) equally divided among mothers and fathers. Policies were primarily operationalized as the existence of parental leave options in the respective country. The descriptive and prescriptive norms of equal division of childcare were stronger when parental leave was available in a country – also when controlling for potential confounding variables. Moreover, analyses of time since policy change suggested that policy change may initially affect prescriptive norms and then descriptive norms at a later point. However, due to the cross‐sectional nature of the data, drawing causal inferences is difficult.