Task allocation and gender roles in dual earner households: the issue of escorting children

This article reports results of a study on task allocation in dual-earner households in Netherlands with special reference to escorting children. Using a multinomial logit model, the probability of who (father, mother, other or no-escorting) take care of escorting is analyzed as a function of age and gender of the children, personal characteristics of the parents, properties of the activity schedules of the parents, personal interest and gender match. Results indicate that gender equity in escorting is only approximated if both parents work full-time and are highly educated. Otherwise, classic gender roles prevail with mothers taking primary responsibility for escorting children. Involvement of others in escorting has a differential effect between fathers and mothers, setting free significantly more time for fathers. Fathers show a tendency to escort children to activities that interest them and demonstrate a stronger gender match.