A few threads have got me thinking about when two parents split up- what is fair for who works and who looks after the children. For example, where one parent gives up working or reduces their hours in order to be the 'primary carer', while the other sticks with their job and cares for the child less.
It seems that women all too often get saddled with the former, as it is assumed that they should by their partner and wider society (and possibly themselves), and their jobs are typically less well paid so it makes more financial sense for the family- it may even be that doing it the other way around isn't viable.
From a feminist point of view, I find this tricky as it may be that the woman finds herself in this position where she feels she has to, but it also may well be that they take this role happily as they would prefer to look after their children than stay at work.
This situation then may become tricky when the couple split and there may be a perception from the working (more) parent that they are forced to bankroll the other's part time life 'choice'.
If the trend now is for 50:50 co-parenting, this may also be difficult for the reasons stated above- but should this be a choice on a split, if it's possible? Can the previously primary caring parent object to this, by view of them having assumed this role full time previously?
What do people think?