研究架構上分為三個層次：個人層次上，討論此經驗為男性所帶來的認知或行動改變，並觀察其返回職場後的變化。家庭層次上，討論男性育兒實作及所從事的家務類型，並透過配偶觀點瞭解家務分工全貌及協商。社會層次上，從臺灣育嬰假政策施行現況與限制，進而探討是否能作為性別平權的推動工具。研究結果顯示，男性育嬰假經驗對個人層面帶來正向影響，包含關係改善與性別意識轉變。家庭層面上，男性並不排斥從事家務，惟其主要從事的類型以「粗重的」為主，並未完全跳脫「男人的家事」框架，情緒勞動仍以女性為主，且夫妻間對分工有認知落差，而家務分工轉變以「短期改變」居多。社會層面上，發現個人行為與制度相互影響，並揭示男性育兒面臨資源不足、學習管道缺乏與性別刻板印象等困境，導致部分男性「被迫成為接棒者」。然而此經驗也促使部分男性成為父職實踐的典範，展現鬆動性別框架的潛力。
本研究建議從制度與文化兩面向推動性別平權，包括調整育嬰假制度規定、增加配套資源與課程、建立與推廣男性育兒形象，與增加公共友善設施設備等。唯有雙軌並行，方能有效改變性別分工，實現實質性別平權。
This study adopts a qualitative research approach to explore how men experience parental leave and to assess whether these experiences contribute to promoting gender equality. Using purposive and snowball sampling, in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 men who had taken parental leave, along with 5 of their spouses. The study analyzes the impact of these experiences across three levels: individual, family, and societal.
The study concludes that promoting gender equality requires a approach that addresses both institutional and cultural barriers. Policy recommendations include revising the parental leave system to encourage male participation, providing targeted support programs and educational resources, promoting diverse and positive images of fatherhood, and enhancing public family-friendly infrastructure. Only by simultaneously advancing changes in policy and social norms can we move toward a more equitable division of labor and realize substantive gender equality.
