My work seeks to uncover the sources of inequalities in the work and family lives of same-sex and different-sex couples. This research has two key objectives. For different-sex couples, the transition to parenthood often amplifies gendered divisions of labor, with women’s earnings and careers suffering the most. Existing research on different-sex couples explains these disparities through mechanisms such as pregnancy and childbirth, gender norms, or financial motives. However, these factors are difficult to disentangle because they are all correlated with biological sex in different-sex couples. By studying same-sex couples, where such mechanisms are uncorrelated with biological sex, my research provides new insights into the true drivers of gendered divisions of labour.

Second, this work addresses gaps in understanding how male and female same-sex couples organise work and family life after becoming parents. With the rise in same-sex partnerships and children growing up in these households, it is essential to focus on work and family inequalities in same-sex families. I will show that differences in access to parenthood, legal rights, and parental leave policies shape how these couples structure their family lives and careers.

To address both objectives, I study how parents from male and female same-sex couples and different-sex couples navigate paid work (child penalties) and caregiving responsibilities (parental leave and cash-for-care schemes) after parenthood. I use longitudinal register data from the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden (1990–2021), which is the largest cross-national dataset on same-sex couples to date.

Please join either in person or online. For in-person attendees, the talk will be preceded by a light lunch at 12.15pm.

Please email comms@sociology.ox.ac.uk with any questions or to receive the Microsoft Teams link.