While some research focuses on the effect of age on various types of participation (see, for example, Zukin et al 2006; Quintelier 2007), here we conceptualise lifecourse stages in terms of the roles that an individual assumes during his/her life (Jennings and Niemi 1981; Quaranta 2016). From this perspective, life events such as becoming a parent act as possible ‘determinants’ of the resources required to participate in civil society (Quaranta 2016). Becoming a parent is a key moment in the lifecourse, with the majority of adults in the UK having at least one child (Graham et al 2017). Little is known about how the dramatic shifts in routines, resources, social networks and priorities associated with parenthood are reflected in patterns of civic engagement. Parents, particularly those of young children, constantly (re)negotiate paid work and other commitments in relation to their changing circumstances, and decisions about voluntary work or political engagement are ‘facilitated or constrained by their changing individual and household patterns’ (Hogg 2016: 170). Scholars in both Europe (Kroh and Selb 2009; Corbetta et al 2012) and the US (Janoski and Wilson 1995; Jennings 2002; Andolina et al 2003) have underscored the importance of better understanding the articulation between parenthood and civic engagement, both as a lifecourse transition in itself, and as an indicator of the onward supply of engaged citizens. In this chapter we focus on parents with current caring responsibilities for their children and define ‘parenting’ and ‘parenthood’ according to the roles, identities and responsibilities adopted by individuals acting as parents, rather than on biological distinctions. Adoptive, and stepparents are therefore included.

Perhaps most obviously, parenthood alters the amount of time and resources available for participating in various civic and political activities such as volunteering, campaigning and providing informal support to neighbours. The ‘time budgets’ of parents may be further stretched by demographic changes, leading to a rising number of ‘beanpole’ families (Hagestad 2000) in which those with young children may also be caring for their own parents. In addition to reducing time availability and drawing on household finances, parenthood also increases responsibilities and affects social relationships (Gallagher and Gerstel 2001; Nomaguchi and Milkie 2003).