The number of men taking paternity leave in Spain increased during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, according to a study published on Thursday, which suggests that being able to watch the matches weighed in their decision.
According to a working document from the Barcelona School of Economics, using data from Spanish social security, “a daily surplus of more than 1,000 men on paternity leave” was recorded during this World Cup, organized from November 20 to December 18, 2022. Qatar.
During this period, however, there was no comparable increase in requests for maternity leave, specifies this study, entitled “Fathers’ time use during paternity leave: childcare or leisure?” .
Taking paternity leave among self-employed workers, known for having more flexible hours, has not increased either.
“We interpret these results as direct proof that fathers (at least some of them) took advantage of their periods of leave for activities that are not related to childcare,” assures this document, written by three economists.
“This could mean that this type of benefit is only partially effective in tackling gender imbalances” and suggests “that other policies may be needed to effectively increase men’s contribution to childcare.” , he concludes.
In Spain, fathers and mothers alike have been entitled to 16 weeks of paid leave since 2021 when their child is born. This leave can be taken all at once, or in several installments during the first 12 months of the child’s life.
Football is an extremely popular sport in Spain, with no fewer than four national daily newspapers devoted to the sport (the vast majority being football). In 2022, the World Cup was one of the most watched events on television in the country
