Introduction

Although the use of the father's quota has become a majority practice among Norwegian fathers, there is variation between different groups of fathers. Highly educated fathers are more positive to the father's quota compared to other groups of fathers (Lappegard and Bringedal, 2013), and the actual use of leave by this group of fathers is also the highest. Fathers with very high incomes are, however, among those who use the father's quota the least (Grambo and Myklebo, 2009; Kitterod et al, 2017). In their research on career fathers with an elite education, Halrynjo and Lyng (2010, 2013) find that in the particular part of working life where the job is an investment in career development, fathers’ use of leave may have indirect and long-term consequences that can reduce career opportunities. This may, in turn, explain the lower use of leave in this group. However, their research is founded on studies of career fathers who have generally not used the leave; what is lacking is research that explores what actually happens when male managers use leave. Moreover, their data material was collected between 2005 and 2007; in the decade since their study there has been more normalization of the fathers’ use of parental leave in Norwegian society (Kitterod et al, 2017).

The point of departure for this chapter is the significant changes that have taken place in Norwegian society when it comes to the participation of fathers in caring for their children. Based on a qualitative interview study of male managers who are fathers and who have used the father's quota, this chapter explores the experiences these fathers have had, both in terms of caregiving for their children and their own career development. These issues have not been adequately researched as the focus has rather been on men in this group of fathers who do not use the father's quota. This chapter will therefore attempt to answer the following research questions: How are the caregiving activities of male managers influenced by their use of parental leave? What is the impact on the career development of male managers when they use the parental leave?