Men's participation in childcare and housework and parity progression: a Japanese population-based study. Issue 3 (2nd September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kato, Tsuguhiko; Kumamaru, Hiraku; Fukuda, Setsuya
• Is Part Of: Asian population studies. Volume 14:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 290
• Page End: 309
• Publication Date: 2018-09-02
• Subjects: Gender -- Japan -- work-life balance -- childcare -- housework -- fertility -- father -- childbearing; Asia -- Population -- Periodicals; 304.6095
• DOI: 10.1080/17441730.2018.1523977
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-1730

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Although Japan has entered a phase of population decline due to decades of low fertility, studies on the determinants of fertility choices among Japanese couples remain sparse. Previous studies, mostly conducted in Europe, suggest that men's active involvement in household labour may promote childbearing. We tested whether men's participation in childcare and housework has an influence on parity progression in Japan. Our results show a positive relationship between men's participation in childcare and parity progression but no consistent relationship between men's participation in housework and parity progression. We also observed that other factors such as the sex composition of existing children influences couples' decision to have another child. Our findings add to the scarce literature on Japanese people's fertility behaviour.