Equity In The Workplace Requires Equity In Caregiving

Actor Colin Farrell is not just a celebrity. Perhaps more importantly, he is a loving caregiver to his two sons. Getty Images.

When actor Colin Farrell’s son was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Angelman syndrome, he realized he had to spend more time with his son to give him the care and attention he needed. He has said that “being a father is more important to him than his career “ and that “his whole acting business is nothing in comparison.” He adds that “being a dad to these two boys is the most difficult, the most rewarding, the most meaningful and the most consequential thing that [he] will ever do.”

Like Colin Farrell, many men want to spend more time with their children, but face both discrimination because caregiving isn’t perceived as “manly” and structural barriers that make it more difficult for men to devote time to family. To treat this issue like the work issue it is (rather than a “women’s issue”), we need to redefine what it means to be masculine and change the way workplaces treat the role of fathers.

Research in behavioral science shows that to sway public opinion and shift norms, it helps to change the way systems are structured; if work systems are designed to support men in caregiving roles, beliefs will naturally follow. To destigmatize caregiver fathers and pave the way for gender equality in the workplace, flexible work rules and parental leave policies must apply to men and women both, and we need salient examples of…