Provider or Father? British Men’s Work Hours and Work Hour Preferences after the Birth of a Child

Abstract

This study uses data from the British Household Panel Survey and Understanding Society to analyse the effect of fatherhood on men’s work hours and work hour preferences. Past research indicates that British men follow the traditional male provider model by either not changing or increasing their working hours when they have fathered a child, but these previous findings are primarily based on descriptive or cross-sectional analyses. Longitudinal analysis of men in the UK (1991 to 2013) shows a significant positive effect of fatherhood on men’s work hours. However, this effect is mainly limited to the fathers of children between one and five years old whose partner is not employed. If the female partner is employed (especially part time) fatherhood leads the male partner to reduce his work hours. Analysis of men’s work hour preferences did not find significant links with the number and age of children.