#Corporateculture

A new wave of millennial fathers is pushing to share parenting duties equally with their partners, but workplace culture and longstanding gender norms continue to place significant barriers in their way, according to recent research and widespread expert commentary. This growing tension between the desire to be present fathers and the realities of contemporary work life raises essential questions for families, companies, and policymakers not only in Western countries but also in societies like Thailand, where gender roles and work cultures are rapidly evolving.

A growing number of millennial fathers seek equal parenting responsibilities, but long-standing gender norms and workplace cultures slow progress. The tension between being present at home and meeting professional demands matters for families, companies, and policymakers, including in Thailand where gender roles are evolving.

Data from international research show fathers with children under 18 spend more time on childcare than a generation ago, though the pace of change varies by country. Experts note that many millennial dads view parenting as a core part of their identity, yet workplace expectations can impede these ambitions and create stress for families.

A wave of research and media coverage is drawing attention to “golden handcuffs”—the idea that lucrative pay, stock options, or retention bonuses can keep employees from leaving jobs they might otherwise discard. As global markets shift, this phenomenon is increasingly visible in Thailand’s knowledge-based sectors, where high rewards compete with work-life balance and well-being.

The term, coined in the 1970s, describes financial rewards tied to staying in a role. While such incentives can help firms attract talent in tight labor markets, they can also trap workers in jobs that no longer align with their values or life priorities. In Thailand’s rapidly internationalizing economy, multinational firms and emerging tech hubs are expanding the use of these tools, prompting both opportunity and fatigue among professionals.

A wave of recent research and media coverage is bringing renewed attention to the phenomenon of “golden handcuffs”—a workplace dynamic in which lucrative compensation, incentives, or benefits keep employees tied to jobs they might otherwise leave. As changing economic conditions ripple through high-earning sectors such as technology and finance, understanding the psychology and impact of golden handcuffs has become critical, both globally and in Thailand, where local professionals increasingly compete in knowledge-based, high-reward industries.