When migrant men become more involved in household and childcare duties – the case of Polish migrants in Norway

Abstract

ABSTRACT In our two studies, we focus on egalitarian attitudes towards gender relations manifested by the readiness to share and actual share of household duties by Polish migrant couples in Norway, where we compare their household arrangements with Polish couples in Poland to verify whether the migration to socio-democratic welfare state country might encourage the use of egalitarian capital within household duties share being advocates of gender equality to other Polish migrants. Our study 1 has showed that living in the society with active policies enhancing gender equality within household helps Polish couple sustain equal arrangements regarding their household duties and parental roles. This acceptance is more profound when analyzed through the lenses of advocating for men to be more involved – as showed in study 2. We thus show the role of cultural factors present in the new homeland society in fostering such gender egalitarian values and practices.