Gen Z Fathers in Australia Uphold Traditional Gender Roles in Parenting
New research from Australia indicates that younger fathers are more inclined to adhere to outdated notions that position men as primary earners and women as caregivers. The findings, based on the Australian State of the World’s Fathers report, reveal a significant generational divide in attitudes towards parenting responsibilities.
Survey Highlights Generational Differences
The study, conducted by The Fathering Project and Western Sydney University, surveyed 8,000 parents globally, including 533 from Australia. It found that 72% of Gen Z fathers, aged 18 to 28, believe that a father's sole responsibility is to provide financially for his children. This percentage decreases to 61% among millennials (29-44) and 57% for Gen X (45-60). Additionally, 65% of Gen Z respondents think that things are better if men do paid work and women do care work, compared to 66% of millennials and 45% of Gen X.
Millennials emerged as the most consistently traditional group across all caregiving questions, despite shifting societal attitudes. The report underscores that, although fathers increasingly desire to be present in their children's lives, barriers such as financial pressures and entrenched gender norms persist.
Disparities in Caregiving Perceptions
Data from 2025 shows that Australian women spend nearly twice as much time as men caring for children and relatives, even as women engage more in paid work. However, most men believe they contribute equally to household care. The survey found that 80% of men reported care was split evenly in their households, whereas only 66% of women agreed. Researchers noted that women often handle invisible coordination work, while fathers focus on specific tasks.
Over 40% of Australian parents surveyed believed boys should not be taught domestic skills like sewing, cooking, and cleaning. Conversely, more than 90% agreed that care is as important as paid work and that men who share caregiving are good partners.
Systemic Barriers and Policy Recommendations
The report authors highlighted that the gender pay gap limits parents' choices regarding earning and caregiving. Dr. Alina Ewald, a researcher at Western Sydney University, emphasized the need for changes by employers, government, health groups, and policymakers. She advocated for flexible working arrangements, childcare support, and normalizing fathers taking leave without career penalties.
Government interventions should include extending paid parental leave, offering dedicated leave for fathers, and subsidizing childcare for financially insecure families. Health and community groups are urged to provide father-specific support and screen for paternal postnatal depression. Policymakers should invest in accessibility for lone parents, culturally diverse families, and those facing financial insecurity.
Economic Pressures and Personal Experiences
Researchers suggested that economic pressure and discourses on masculinity might intensify traditional views among younger men, with financial insecurity predicting stronger endorsement of gender norms. Dr. James Brown, a board member of The Fathering Project, pointed to systemic failures, noting that workplace cultures, limited leave, and inadequate support services hinder caregiving for fathers.
The care tax of reduced work hours or stopping work for caregiving affects both parents, with 90% agreeing that a four-day work week would improve work-life balance. Zac Cracknell, a father from New South Wales, shared his experience of balancing work and care, describing a 70-30 split with his wife taking on more hands-on care despite both working full-time. He highlighted the tension between financial provision and family time, calling it a double-edged sword.
Conclusion
While boys may believe in gender equality, the report raises concerns about whether these views persist into adulthood. Supportive policies, such as paid parental leave and flexible work arrangements, are crucial for promoting paternal caregiving and advancing gender equality in Australian families.
