Gender stereotypes on parenting persists in Quebec even as fathers take on more: survey

June 15, 2026 - 17:08

Quebec parents are increasingly moving toward equality and tend to view themselves as a team working for their child's benefit. However, a new survey reveals that mothers and fathers do not share the same perception when it comes to the distribution of the mental load. The study also found that fathers' competence is more likely to be questioned than mothers'.

These findings highlight a persistent gap between evolving family roles and lingering stereotypes. While fathers are taking on more hands-on parenting duties than previous generations, the invisible work of managing schedules, appointments, and emotional needs still falls disproportionately on mothers. The survey suggests that even in households where both parents contribute, the mental burden is not equally shared.

fathers reported feeling judged or doubted in their parenting abilities more often than mothers. This reflects a broader societal bias that assumes mothers are naturally more capable caregivers. The results indicate that while Quebec families have made progress toward shared parenting, traditional gender expectations remain deeply embedded in daily life.