[smm2000]

Not sure about legality of asking but woman statistically (80%+) are main caregivers to kids so asking this question only for females make sense.

It works both ways though - one well known company gives 4 month leave to primary caregiver and only 2 weeks to secondary on child birth. If you are female - you get it by default. If you are father and not single one at that - good luck. Every single person (from your boss down) will ask you why you are primary caregiver.

[rustynails]

"asking this question only for females make sense"

This is a dangerous attitude. One other poster talked about "old school" but the truth is that things haven't improved for anyone. It's attitudes like this quote that are indicative of how it's always been - some people are sexist and some people are not.

We should not justify differentiating genders. People who do this(eg. Australian police who are mandating 50% female employees, regardless of suitability) should have the book thrown at them. In this day and age, gender should not be a variable in almost any job.

[marcusgarvey]

>Every single person (from your boss down) will ask you why you are primary caregiver.

That's awful. More evidence that gender stereotypes need changing.

[prawn]

Replace "women statistically" etc with black people, or gay people or people with anxiety statistically, etc.