Brits expect mums, not dads, to be the default parent, taking the lion’s share of domestic chores, while also holding a senior position at work.
According to new research conducted by the UK’s number one children’s name sticker and iron-on name label brand, My Nametags, mums are almost always expected to juggle paid work alongside the heavier parenting load.
Despite mums spending the equivalent of 1.5 working days more than dads on childcare, housework and family admin, 90% of people say the mums they know still have a career, and almost a quarter (23%) work full-time.
And, they are still under pressure to perform to a high standard. In fact, the research found that almost the same proportion of Brits expect a mother of small children to hold a senior position as fathers (56% vs 59%).
Despite this pressure to have a successful career, mums are expected to spend more time on almost every parenting task, while dads are praised for doing the basics. It’s assumed that mums will do the majority of the caring, washing, cooking, cleaning, shopping, and playing.
They are also much more likely to be expected to shoulder responsibilities alone, from changing every single nappy, to remembering children’s schedules and appointments. Similarly, Brits are 9% more likely to assume single mothers can manage alone without support from their wider family than single fathers.
These attitudes are reflected in the language used to describe parenting. For instance, “working mum” is used by 52% of Brits, and “super mum” is used by 45%, suggesting that mums going above and beyond is considered the standard by the modern Brit. By contrast, just 32% use the phrase, “working dad”.
Lars B. Andersen, Managing Director at My Nametags, comments on the findings: “Being a parent myself and working with parents for over twenty years, I’m well aware of the demands of modern life and childcare. Our research shows that mothers often still carry the heaviest load, and with very little recognition or praise.
“That’s why we’re committed to making busy families’ lives just that little bit easier. We’ve put together some helpful hacks for those struggling to juggle all the demands of modern parenting, whether that’s mothers, fathers, grandparents, or other carers. We hope that they help families to free up valuable hours to spend more quality time together.”
Free up some time with these helpful parenting hacks.
