Peer-reviewed article
Childcare sharing and family happiness: analyzing parental and child well-being in the actor-partner interdependence model
Young‐Eun Lee ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examines how childcare sharing between parents affects happiness in South Korean families using data from 1,403 families. Mothers' increased childcare involvement had no significant effect on anyone's happiness, while fathers' childcare sharing positively affected their own happiness, their spouse's happiness, and their children's happiness. The findings reflect traditional gender norms that undervalue mothers' contributions while increasingly recognizing fathers' involvement in childcare.
Key points
- Mothers' childcare sharing had no significant impact on their own or their partner's happiness
- Fathers' childcare sharing positively affected their own happiness and their spouse's happiness
- Fathers' active participation in childcare promoted their children's happiness through improved paternal happiness
- The results reflect persistent traditional gender norms in Korean families despite modern family dynamics
- Work and family policies supporting equitable family roles could enhance overall family well-being
Limitations
The study is limited to South Korea and may not generalize to other cultural contexts with different gender role expectations. The research does not explore the mechanisms underlying why mothers' and fathers' childcare contributions have asymmetrical effects on family happiness.
Abstract
Introduction: The exploration of the relationship between parental and child happiness, particularly in the context of shared childcare responsibilities, has not been examined in Korean families. Methods: Using a two-wave longitudinal design and data from 1,403 families from the Panel Study on Korean Children, this study employed the actor-partner interdependence model to examine the dynamics of childcare sharing between mothers and fathers in South Korea. Results: Mothers' childcare sharing was found to have no significant impact on their own and their partner's happiness, reflecting traditional gender norms that undervalue mothers' contributions. In contrast, fathers' childcare sharing had a positive impact on their own and their spouse's happiness, suggesting a growing recognition of fathers' involvement. Furthermore, fathers' active participation in childcare was found to promote their children's happiness through their own happiness. Discussion: This study reflects the complexity of evolving family roles and the covert persistence of traditional gender roles in modern Korean parenting. It suggests the importance of work and family policies that support changes in family dynamics by providing a more nuanced understanding of how changing family roles and responsibilities can enhance overall family well-being.