Ipsos survey: 72% Indians want employers to help men in taking care of kids too

A global survey by Ipsos on International Women’s Day 2019 shows progressive views on parenting among Indians. Indians want equal rights for men and women for housework and child rearing and exhort employers to make it easier for males to combine childcare with work. 

Over half of Indians polled (56 per cent) pooh-pooh the belief that the man staying at home taking care of children is less of a man; though 4 in 10 (39 per cent) agree that it makes the man effeminate.  

“Equal rights for men and women for household chores and child rearing is being emphasised. Paternity Leave could be the starting point,” says Tripti Sharma, Research Director, Public Affairs, Ipsos India.

The study shows 55 per cent Indians disagree that the man who stays at home to look after children is less of a man. Notably, 4 in 10 Indians (39 per cent) feel that a man who stays at home to look after children is less of a man. 

South Korea has pipped India where at least three fourths (76 per cent) feel the person is less of a man who chooses to stay at home for looking after his children. India is placed 2nd in the pecking order. 

Most markets though rejected this belief of less male syndrome, for tending to kids. 

The study says 72 per cent Indians want employers to make it easier for men to combine childcare with work. In fact, across markets similar view is echoed, though the highest was among Serbs (90 per cent). Japan, which was placed last in the pecking order had at least 58 per cent Japanese endorsing this view. 

For men and women to achieve equal rights in taking care of home and children, four in 10 Indians believe enough is not being done. 

Riding on optimism, 59 per cent Indians believe that discrimination against women in relation to looking after home and children will end in the next 20 years. Only 14 per cent Japanese expect discrimination to end in 20 years.