Can fathers be both earners and caregivers?: the seemingly contradictory expectations for South Africa's fathers

Abstract

According to a 2017 national survey, South Africans widely agreed that a man's role in child rearing is important. Paternal involvement in the early days of a child's life has been shown to increase bonding and promote gender equality. Yet, the same survey found that most South Africans believed that parental leave should be reserved solely or mostly for mothers. While acceptance of working mothers has increased, this has not been matched by a corresponding broadening of the perceived role of fathers as breadwinners.