Quarterly Essay 75: Men at Work cover art

Quarterly Essay 75: Men at Work

Australia's Parenthood Trap

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Quarterly Essay 75: Men at Work

By: Annabel Crabb
Narrated by: Annabel Crabb
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About this listen

When New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, announced her pregnancy, the headlines raced around the world. But when Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg became the first prime minister and treasurer duo since the 1970s to take on the roles while bringing up young children, this detail passed largely without notice. Why do we still accept that fathers will be absent? Why do so few men take parental leave in this country? Why is flexible and part-time work still largely a female preserve?

In the past half-century, women have revolutionised the way they work and live. But men’s lives have changed remarkably little. Why? Is it because men don’t want to change? Or is it because, every day in various ways, they are told they shouldn’t?

In Men at Work, Annabel Crabb deploys political observation, workplace research and her characteristic humour and intelligence to argue that gender equity cannot be achieved until men are as free to leave the workplace (when their lives demand it) as women are to enter it.

'Women’s surge into the workplace has been profound over the last century. But it hasn’t been matched by movement in the other direction: while the entrances have been opened to women, the exits are still significantly blocked to men. And if women have benefited from the sentiment that ‘girls can do anything’, then don’t we similarly owe it to the fathers, mothers and children of the future to ensure that ‘boys can do anything’ means everything from home to work?'

Updated in 2020 with a new afterword, which explores what have we learned from the parental experiment of the COVID-19 lockdowns.

©2019, 2020 Annabel Crabb (P)2019 Audible Australia Pty Ltd.
Gender Studies Parenting & Families Politics & Government Relationships Social Policy Social Sciences Sociology Thought-Provoking Funny Witty
All stars
Most relevant  
Appreciated the thesis of this book, particularly the research which went into its execution. However I felt sorely left out at the conclusion - our "world's most lockdown city" status certainly defied this conclusion by the end of 2021. I'd love to hear an updated critial conclusion from the author for a pathway forward over the longer-term.

Does 2021 change anything?

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This is true journalism- to find an important and current topic, thoroughly research it, interview widely and then produce a superbly articulated, balanced argument. I believe every woman and man in Australia (or at the very least those with children) should listen to this.

Incredibly well researched, thought through and argued

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Annabel Crabb takes a close look at the changing roles for men as parents and in the workplace. Though provoking and well researched - a must listen.

Well worth a listen

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Thank you, appreciated the essay. In the production /presentation you need maybe 2 seconds of space at the end of a chapter and before the next.

Small quibble from me.

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made me think about a lot of things I hadn't considered in terms of equality and family balance. definitely worth a listen!

super interesting and insightful

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It was easy listening, very informative and funny. Made me think how much our attitudes towards parental leave lag behind other countries.

Well researched and humourous

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This is such an important topic to talk about, but for some reason still very much a forbidden one. I think Annabel describes the topic very clearly and, most importantly, fairly. I had to get used to her voice a bit in the beginning, but I actually think she was the correct person to narrate, as you can hear the passion for her work in her voice.

Important

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An evidenced based, insightful, and Australian essay that uncovers how we view father's as secondary parents. Great to address your own implicit biases.

As a First Time Dad, Excellent

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Crabb has a characteristic voice when talking about issues of gender which seems carefully calibrated to avoid charges of misandry. I think she does very well with this approach, coming across as very reasonable and thoughtful without falling into the opposite trap of both-sidesing the issue and watering down her perspective. It also doesn't hurt that she's very funny and self-aware, which makes listening to this essay enjoyable.

A thorny issue tackled with wit and thoughtfulness

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I really enjoyed listening to this essay. I loved that it's in Annabel's own voice and I found her research, information and interviews interesting and thought provoking. I've recommended it to a few people, and have emphasised even if they don't have children, the concept of challenging and changing the status quo and how this is done, is one of the important messages that I took from this essay.

Culture change

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