The HPS Podcast - Conversations from History, Philosophy and Social Studies of Science · HPSUniMelb.org

Working Fathers Mini-series. Ep 4 - Give Dads a Break

·40 min·3 clips

A father describes feeling 'overworked and under-familied' in a study that exposes deep work-family conflicts for men.

This episode examines the social and workplace pressures that prevent fathers from being equal caregivers, featuring host Dan Halliday and guests Dr. Ashley Borgvist, Matt Tyler, and Dr. Linda Barclay. Researchers Irene Patterson, Robin Ely, and Erin Reid interviewed 107 consultants at a professional services firm and identified a pervasive "work-family narrative." One father in that study described feeling "overworked and under-familied" and later left the firm, yet management showed little interest in these findings. The researchers argued this narrative acts as a psychological defense against the anxiety of choosing between work and family. Ashley Borgvist's PhD research involved interviewing "front-runner fathers" who used flexible work arrangements to be more involved at home. Matt Tyler, who leads the Men's Project at Jesuit Social Services, took six weeks of parental leave and discusses the practical and emotional learning of early fatherhood. His organization's survey of 1,000 young Australian men found 56% felt social pressure to be the primary breadwinner. Dr. Linda Barclay analyzes parental leave policy, critiquing how Scandinavian systems can inadvertently exacerbate workforce discrimination against women despite generous leave. A surprising insight is that men often overestimate other men's negative attitudes towards flexible work and paternity leave. Borgvist notes that when fathers see other men using flexible arrangements, they become more likely to request them themselves. Matt Tyler observes that public praise for caregiving fathers can be problematic, as it treats normal parenting as extraordinary. The "man box" concept describes a set of norms pressuring men to be tough, unemotional breadwinners. Research suggests adolescent boys with fathers who contribute at home are less likely to subscribe to these "man box" ideas. Linda Barclay advocates for "use it or lose it" parental leave quotas for fathers to combat gendered care assumptions. She notes such policies in some European countries help protect fathers from employer backlash and can secure closer father-child relationships, especially if parents separate. The tone is analytical and conversational, blending academic research with personal narratives. This episode would appeal to listeners interested in gender equality, workplace policy, and modern fatherhood. Those seeking purely anecdotal parenting stories might find the sociological and policy focus less engaging.

As heard by us

A careful argument for treating fatherhood as work, care, and policy at once.

Fatherhood here is treated less as a private feeling than as something shaped by work, care, and the pressure to keep going. It starts with stalled advancement in a professional services firm, then widens into a work family story that shows how 24 7 availability can make…

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Why you'd press play

For when you want a look at how 24-7 work expectations can leave fathers overworked and under-familied.

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