Parents tend to prioritize staying at home with ill children more frequently, with the majority being mothers. - Parents tend to keep mothers at home more frequently when children are ill, as opposed to fathers.
In Germany, parents are entitled to Kinderkrankentage (child sick days), allowing up to 15 days per child (under the age of 12) to care for a sick child. From January 1, 2024, this entitlement has been extended to 30 days for single parents, and can be compensated by Kinderkrankengeld (child sickness benefit) through statutory health insurance providers like Barmer.
According to Barmer's 2024 report, mothers more frequently take advantage of this benefit, a trend that can be attributed to traditional gender roles, work flexibility, legal and social frameworks, and cultural expectations. In 2024, mothers submitted approximately 296,000 applications for child sick pay, while fathers submitted around 109,000.
The report also reveals that Barmer registered a total of 877,000 payable days for child sick pay in 2024, with 648,000 for women and 229,000 for men. This trend is consistent with the fact that mothers typically assume greater responsibility for child care when children are ill.
In 2023, the numbers were similar, with 297,000 applications from mothers and 108,000 from fathers. Barmer registered a total of 890,000 payable days, with 663,000 for women and 227,000 for men.
Child sick pay in Germany is usually 90% of the lost net income and can be taken flexibly, such as on two of five days in a week. It's important to note that parents can apply for this benefit even if they work from home.
Barmer CEO Christoph Straub stated that the persistent unequal distribution of family care responsibilities is evident in the numbers. He emphasized that while fathers increasingly participate in child care, the pattern reflects persistent social norms in Germany regarding parental roles rather than differences in legal eligibility.
[1] Barmer Report, 2024 [3] Barmer Report, 2023
- In light of the 2024 Barmer report, the persisting disparity in the utilization of child sick pay, primarily by mothers, can be linked to traditional gender roles, vocational training that may influence work flexibility, and community policies that affect family-health and parenting.
- The health and wellness sector, particularly vocational training programs, could consider offering courses addressing the importance of shared parental responsibilities, with the aim of addressing and reducing the prevailing trend in parenting, as evident in the 2023 and 2024 Barmer reports.
