GRADUATION TALK ▼

GENDERED ROLES IN CHILDCARE: FACT OR FICTION?

AN INTERVIEW WITH ANNA DECHANT

▐  Anna Dechant tells us about the parental roles in childcare and why it is an important topic as well as how the interchange between academia and 'the real world' takes place in her eyes.

   What drew you to the topic of your dissertation and what interests you most about it?

   A.D.My dissertation analysed why couples decide to divide paid work, housework and childcare in the way they do when they become parents. For me, it was most interesting to better understand why it is still the case that fathers concentrate more on the labor market and mothers more on childcare and housework. I could understand, based on qualitative longitudinal interviews, how important gendered ideas of motherhood and fatherhood are and that they are sometimes more important than financial aspects.

   How important is the interchange between academia and 'the real world‘ and how does this influence your work at the ifb (Staatsinstitut für Familienforschung an der Universität Bamberg)?

   A.D.The interchange between academia and 'the real world' is very important for me. I believe academia has no purpose if we do not communicate our findings with 'the real world' and keep in constant contact with the broad public. That is also why I joined our public relations team that is developing ideas for a better dialog between researchers and 'normal people'. ◼

Image Credits: © Bamberg Graduate School of Social Sciences