+ Last ned pdf - Institutt for samfunnsforskning

Fars forkjørsrett
– mors vikeplikt?
Karriere, kjønn og omsorgsansvar i eliteprofesjoner
SIGTONA HALRYNJO
sigtona.halrynjo@afi-wri.no
SELMA THERESE LYNG
selma.therese.lyng@afi-wri.no
FATHERS’ PRIORITY – MOTH-
ERS’ DUTY TO GIVE WAY? GEN-
DER, CAREER AND CHILDCARE
IN ELITE PROFESSIONS
Based on survey and interview data, we
examine the impact of parenthood and
work-family adaptations on career
realisation among Norwegian male and
female elite professionals. We find no
gender difference in career realisation
among childless men and women, but
significant differences between mothers
and fathers. While preferences
alone cannot explain this, the explanatory
power of the actual division of
child care and work responsibilities is
significant. We find a marked discrepancy
between gender-equal preferences
for career and family adaptations and
gender-unequal practices. Qualitative
analysis shows how both male and
Keywords:
female informants with a traditional
work-family gender adaptation articulate
their practices in a typical, but
ambiguous, way: The traditional gender
adaptation is a result of giving priority
to the father’s career preferences
over those of the mother. Nevertheless,
this adaptation is presented as being in
line with her interests, because she
finds it important and meaningful to
spend time with the children. Both the
necessity and costs of a mother’s duty
to give way are explicitly formulated.
Simultaneously, however, long-term
career consequences are downplayed.
Through analysing actual work-family
practices in light of preferences, satisfaction
and justifications, we discuss
how traditional gender adaptations
result from unequal conditions and
have unequal consequences.
• career
• division of childcare
• elite professions
• gender equality
• work-family conflict
249
© UNIVERSITETSFORLAGET
TIDSSKRIFT FOR SAMFUNNSFORSKNING
VOL 51, NR 2, 249–280