Exploring Gender Perspectives on Parenthood Experiences among Fathers and Mothers in the ICT Field

Context: Previous research has explored the beneficial effects of gender diversity within Information and Communication Technology (ICT) teams. Nonetheless, it’s widely acknowledged that women encounter numerous obstacles in sustaining their careers, particularly after becoming mothers, in contrast to fathers. Goal: This paper investigates the perceptions of practitioners mothers and fathers in the ICT field regarding the challenges they encounter in the job market concerning parenthood, with a particular emphasis on gender perspectives. Method: We have conducted a survey with fathers and mothers working in the ICT field to ascertain their perceptions of parenting challenges. Results: Our findings indicate that male practitioners find the organizational culture inclusive towards employees who are parents, while most women don’t feel the same way. Mothers have shown to feel insecure about the impact that maternity leave can have on their careers and reported receiving fewer job opportunities because they have children, while most fathers do not share these concerns. Furthermore, the majority of ICT practitioners who are parents said their coworkers are supportive regarding their parental responsibilities. Conclusions: The analysis highlights common challenges faced by parents in the ICT industry, such as balancing work and family responsibilities, workplace discrimination against women, and an organizational culture that lacks support for parents. Nevertheless, there is a growing acknowledgment of the necessity for inclusive policies and mutual support to tackle these challenges.