Pohled Generace Y a Z v České republice na rodičovskou dovolenou: Komparativní analýza s rodičovskými systémy v severských zemích

This thesis focuses on how young parents from Generation Y and Generation Z use parental leave in the Czech Republic. Its aim is to identify the main factors that influence the length and form of parental leave, parents’ views on fathers’ involvement in childcare, and the changes they would welcome to better combine work and family life. The theoretical part describes the Czech system of family policy and briefly compares it with selected Nordic countries. It also presents basic value characteristics of Generations Y and Z, which help to explain the attitudes of the parents included in the research. The practical part is based on a secondary comparison of Nordic parental-leave systems and on a primary qualitative study using eleven semi-structured interviews. The results show that parents see the Czech parental-leave system as stable and flexible, but its use is often limited by the lack and financial cost of childcare services, income differences between partners and low flexibility in the workplace. Fathers’ participation in childcare is generally viewed positively, but in practice it is still restricted by economic, work-related and cultural barriers. Parents most often suggest improving the availability of childcare, supporting flexible forms of work and adjusting financial support so that it reflects previous earnings more fairly. The thesis offers insight into how young parents think about parental leave and suggests measures that could support a more balanced sharing of care and smoother returns to work, including recommendations for employers.