Flexible working hours trap in academia: The burden of parenting on female academics has been documented

Flexible working policies implemented to increase the representation of women in the scientific world and universities and to ensure the work-life balance of academic mothers, contrary to expectations, reinforce gender inequality. Large-scale studies led by researchers from Carnegie Mellon University in the USA and Bristol University in the UK, and involving thousands of academics internationally, have proven that flexibility in academia turns into a "care burden" for women and a "productivity opportunity" for men.

THE SURVEY CONDUCTED WITH 10 THOUSAND ACADEMICS REVEALED THE PAINFUL TRUTH

In the research conducted with more than 10 thousand academic parents, led by information scientist Cassidy Sugimoto and meta-researcher Gemma Derrick, it was determined that the overwhelming majority of female academics took on the role of "main parent" in the family. It has been determined that even in marriages where women have a secondary (satellite) role in parenting, they are shouldered with much more domestic responsibilities compared to situations where men have a secondary role.

The only at-home activity that male academics consistently undertake more than females is social activities such as "coaching children's sports teams."

ILLUSION OF FLEXIBILITY: WOMEN HAVE TO WORK UNTIL MIDNIGHT

The most striking finding of the research emerged in how flexible working hours were interpreted differently by couples. It was determined that female academics used flexible working hours to manage children's nursery, school, nutrition and activity processes. On the other hand, it was determined that male academics focused on their own academic studies, citing their wives' flexibility in taking on domestic responsibilities.

The statement of a female academic from the USA, "I have the flexibility to drop the children off at school, collect them and feed them; however, I have to work until midnight and 2 o'clock in the morning to make up for all the working time I lose during the day" summarizes the illusion of flexibility experienced in academia and the open-ended workload on women.

THE PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT OF WOMEN ACADEMICS WORKING FROM HOME IS BEING QUESTIONED

Another study conducted by Guoxin Ma, an expert at the Royal Agricultural University in England, showed that flexible working and working from home practices disrupted women's career advancement after birth. Female academics who participated in the survey emphasized that they were perceived by their institutions as "less committed to work and science" when they worked from home or finished work early for their children.

On the other hand, it was noted that male academics who requested flexible working in order to take on parenting responsibilities were subjected to derogatory comments by their colleagues or worried about their careers being interrupted.

THE SOLUTION IS NOT IN EQUALITY, BUT IN EQUITY-FOCUSED POLICIES

Prof. stated that after the equal parenting balance achieved for a short time during the pandemic period, the system returned to the old unequal patterns. Cassidy Sugimoto emphasized that current university policies should move away from a superficial understanding of "equality" and be shaped with a focus on "fairness".

Experts; It recommends encouraging parents to use maternity leaves in alternating years rather than simultaneously, increasing nursery and care support opportunities on university campuses, and providing direct funds to support the laboratory processes of female researchers.