Measuring the impacts of parenting leaves: grappling with conceptual and methodological complexities

Abstract

How do we define, measure, and assess the impacts of parenting leaves? In this chapter, we highlight and call for greater attention to four methodological, conceptual, and epistemological complexities of measurement processes, tools, and concepts when assessing and measuring the use and impacts of parenting leaves. First, there are potential epistemological challenges of combining mixed methods and, second, similar units of analysis across international comparative studies. Third is the issue of how to study the effects of parenting leaves in conjunction with other related policies, especially early learning and childcare and employment policies. Finally, recognizing that policymakers (and journalists who report on these issues) often view parenting leaves, especially for fathers, as a "magic bullet" for bringing about gendered change at work and at home, researchers must be cognizant of the need to convey the methodological, conceptual, and epistemological complexities and limitations in all research, whether quantitative, qualitative, mixed-method, national, intra-national, or comparative.