Mapping the Unknown: Research Gaps in Parenting Leave Inequality Research in Europe is a new report by WG2 and edited by Johanna Lammi-Taskula and Thordis Reimer. It examines how parenting leave policies in Europe affect social inequalities and where important gaps in knowledge remain. Based on a review of more than 400 studies from 24 European countries, the report shows that while parenting leave is central to gender equality, health, and social sustainability, both research and policy often overlook who is excluded in practice.
Main findings:
- Research on parenting leave focuses mainly on gender, especially mothers’ employment and fathers’ leave take-up.
- Other inequalities – such as income, job insecurity, migration background, health, disability, and family diversity – are largely under-researched.
- Parenting leave systems tend to work best for parents in stable, well-paid employment, leaving many groups under-protected.
- Policy design matters: well-paid, individual and flexible leave increases equality, but formal rights alone do not guarantee real access.
- Workplace cultures and eligibility rules often limit whether parents can actually use their leave.
- Better data and more inclusive research are needed to assess whether parenting leave policies truly reduce inequalities across Europe.