Changes in Personal Attitudes and Perceived Public Opinions Towards External Childcare During the Family Formation Phase

Samira Beringer , Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB)
Martin Bujard , Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB)
Sabine Diabaté, Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB)

Objective: This study investigates whether the transition to parenthood is related to changes in personal attitudes and perceived public opinion towards external childcare for under-threes. Background: A certain amount of knowledge exists on personal attitudes towards the external day-care of toddlers, while little is known about how the two variables – personal attitudes and perceived public opinion – change over the life course. Method: The study uses two waves of the “Concepts of Family in Germany” panel data which capture cultural conceptions such as individual attitudes and perceived public opinions regarding day-care for under-threes. The authors analyze how both variables change for young childless adults during the family formation phase using panel regressions with linear between-within (hybrid) models. Results: The findings suggest that cultural conceptions are strongly influenced by life course events. After the birth of their first child, parents are less skeptical about day-care for under threes. In contrast to the personal attitudes, no systematic changes are found in perceived public opinion due to the transition to parenthood in this sample. The results of the two analyses show an increasing gap between the personal attitudes of individuals who become parents and their perception of public opinion regarding childcare acceptance. Conclusion: The results show that public opinion is a hidden yet in some cases still potent force that inhibits the cultural change towards greater gender equality. In addition, the diverging views point to a conflict for new parents between the wish to use external childcare and societal expectations.

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 Presented in Session P1. Postercafe