Predictors of Fathers' Use of Parental Leave in Germany

The aim of this study is the identification of socio-economic and workplace-related predictors of the fathers' use of parental leave after the introduction of the Parental Allowance and Parental Leave Act in Germany in 2007. This reform implied a paradigm shift in German family policy and led to a sharp increase in the share of leave taken by fathers. Using the 2008 German Microcensus database, three logistic models are developed, including all fathers, working fathers, and fathers in dual-earner couples, respectively. The dependent variable distinguishes between fathers who were on parental leave at the time of the interview and those who were not. Many of each father's personal characteristics and workplace-related variables as well as some of his partner's attributes increase the odds of using parental leave significantly. Especially the female partner's full-time employment and income have a strong positive impact. Overall, the findings are in part consistent with existing empirical studies from Scandinavian countries and Germany under the former legislation.