Overview of Research on Policies to Extend Maternity and Parental Leave

Abstract

This study provides a systematic review of the role of Beijing's extended maternity and parental leave policies in addressing the challenges of population aging and low fertility. Based on the analysis of 15 core papers, the study finds that although the current policy has tried to alleviate women's burden of childcare and promote gender equality by extending maternity leave and adding parental leave for fathers, the actual effect has been limited. Fertility rates have only shown a slight marginal increase (household birth rate is still below 6 per 1,000), and men's participation in parental leave is low due to non-compulsory design and socio-cultural barriers; the implementation of the policy has revealed problems such as corporate evasion of responsibility and persistent gender discrimination in the workplace. The deep-rooted contradiction stems from the fragmentation of the policy, the lack of supporting measures and the shackles of the traditional gender division of labor. The study proposes that the construction of a “maternity-friendly society” requires a shift to systematic governance: integrating economic support (expansion of maternity allowance and childcare subsidies), service support (universal childcare coverage), time support (exclusive quota system for fathers), and cultural support (elimination of prejudice against motherhood), and strengthening policy effectiveness through cross-sectoral collaboration (finance, human resources and social welfare, and health care, etc.). Future research needs to focus on the multiplier effect of the policy mix, the protection of flexible employment groups, and the design of incentives for male participation.