Caring Differently: A Time use Analysis of the Type and Social Context of Child care Performed by Fathers and by Mothers

Abstract

This paper analyses the 1992 Time Use Survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in order to compare contextual aspects of time spent with children by mothers and by fathers. The research finds that when mothers are with children they are more likely to be in sole charge, to perform onerous or routine tasks, and to do other activities at the same time, than are fathers. The paper argues that these findings imply that the experience of child care is qualitatively different for men and women.