Parents have a tendency to work from home more frequently when their children are ill, with mothers generally taking on this responsibility more frequently than fathers.
In Germany, a significant disparity persists in the number of applications for child sick leave between women and men, according to Christoph Straub, CEO of Barmer health insurance company. This disparity reflects the persistent unequal distribution of family care responsibilities, with mothers typically assuming greater caregiving roles.
Barmer's data reveals that the number of paid sick days for children registered by the company has consistently been higher for women than for men in recent years. This trend is a reflection of traditional gender roles and caregiving expectations that remain prevalent despite policy efforts to encourage paternal involvement.
The uneven distribution of child sick leave can be traced back to several key factors. Maternity protection law provides mothers with guaranteed leave before and after birth, formally reinforcing maternal caregiving roles. Additionally, while parental leave and parental allowance encourage shared leave, mothers predominantly take more of the leave, contributing to traditional role reinforcement.
Fathers in Germany lack a statutory right to paternity leave, although some companies offer it as a benefit. This lack of formal leave uptake by fathers for child care, including sick child care, contributes to the uneven distribution. Furthermore, research shows that longer family leaves, which often fall disproportionately on mothers, negatively impact women’s labor market outcomes, further reinforcing traditional divisions.
However, the situation has been slowly changing due to increasing recognition of paternal caregiving roles and policies designed to encourage fathers’ participation in parental leave, such as the "father’s quota" in parental leave introduced since the early 2000s. Single parents are entitled to 30 days of sick leave for children per child, and as of January 1, 2024, each parent can apply for sick leave for children for 15 days per year, an increase from the previous 10 days.
Despite these incremental policy changes, sick leave related specifically to children remains largely utilized by mothers, reflecting ongoing gender dynamics. In 2023, Barmer received approximately 297,000 applications for sick leave for children from mothers and 108,000 from fathers. The company registered a total of 890,000 paid sick days for children, with 663,000 for women and 227,000 for men.
Barmer, one of the largest health insurance companies in Germany, with around 8.3 million insured members, emphasizes that parents can apply for sick leave for children at their health insurance company, even if they work from home. Sick leave for children can be taken flexibly, for example, on two of five days in a week.
As Germany progresses towards gender equality in family care responsibilities, it is crucial to address the underlying cultural and legislative factors that perpetuate the uneven distribution of child sick leave. While policy changes have been incremental, the ongoing disparity underscores the need for continued efforts to encourage paternal involvement and challenge traditional gender roles.
Science can provide valuable insights into the ongoing disparity in child sick leave applications between women and men in Germany, shedding light on the cultural and legislative factors that contribute to this trend. To advance family health and wellness, parenting policies should be reevaluated to ensure equitable distribution of family care responsibilities, promoting healthier family dynamics and equal opportunities for both parents.
