Gender inequality persists in Canada. Canadian women are more likely to work part-time, take on more household chores and earn less than men. Overall fewer women work than men in Canada; with the largest gaps in urban centres with high costs of childcare. This gender inequality exists within a regulatory system and public social programs that reinforce gender stereotypes; and, a labour market that is rapidly shifting towards non-standard employment.

This project had two goals. First, to support a human-centred design approach to developing gender equality through developing public policy, workplace practices, and social innovations. And second, to extend the understanding of how and why parents are constructing their earning and parenting roles in a variety of non-standard employment relationships

Seven heterosexual couples and one single mother who are working in non-standard employment arrangements were interviewed to understand their motivations and decision factors regarding paid employment, domestic and parenting activities; what they are looking for in earning arrangements; the challenges and benefits of their current arrangements; and, future aspirations and concerns.

The qualitative data from those interviews were used to identify to identify implications, an overall problem challenge, a set of innovation opportunities, design principles and a set of future research areas.

The parents interviewed in this project are using non-standard employment relationships to meet their own earning and parenting goals of maximizing their time with their children and both being involved parents while doing gender differently.

These parents’ choices are consistent with a shifting view of domestic sharing, gender equality and a revaluing of caregiving activities in society. They could reflect a new model of earning; however, they also highlight the significant risks borne by earners in non-standard employment relationships because of a mismatch of the social safety net and shifting values.