FATHERS’ PARTICIPATION IN PARENTAL LEAVE: THE CASE OF UKRAINE

The possibility of fathers to take parental leave in order to be involved in childcare is introduced in many countries. This thesis examines fathers’ use of parental leave in Ukraine. The analysis of Ukrainian welfare is made with focus on the issue of care and is implemented by applying theories of welfare and care regimes. The method of semi-structured interviews was chosen for the qualitative research conducted in order to find out what influences the decision of couples when considering who should go on parental leave. Among factors that have influenced the decision of parents regarding parental leave, four main categories were distinguished: stereotypes about traditional gender roles; (dis)approval by their social surroundings; father’s motivation to be involved in childcare; and employment conditions of both parents