 News
28th December 2006
Mothers take shorter career breaks
Women take less time off work to raise their family than previous generations,
according to a new study.
The research, involving more than 1000 women, showed that
the rising cost of living along with employmeny perks mean that mothers
are returing to work after an average 2.3 years, compared with 6.7 years
30 years ago.
The study also found that many women are higher earners
than their partners, giving an added incentive to return to work as soon
as possible after giving birth but family campaigners say the trend can
be detrimental to a child's emotional health.
Anna Lines, of the campaigning group Full Time Mothers,
said: "It is not great news for children, because it means they are going
to be looked after by a succession of people who are not going to have
the same level of interest in them as their parents.
"Women are going back to work just to survive, and it is
a terrible dilemma which was created by a previous generation who wanted
it all."
Linda McBain, of Investec Private Bank, which commissioned
the study, agrees.
"Starting a family can be a huge financial strain,"she
said.
"Not only do you have the added cost of looking after your
children, but in many cases the household income can drop significantly
as women take time off work to raise them.
"Many women are probably taking shorter career breaks than
they would have done 20 years ago because households increasingly need
two incomes.
Philippa Gee, of financial advisers Torquil Clark, adds,
"The basic cost of living has increased significantly - a mortgage costs
a lot more, people may be coping with debts and then there is childcare.
They have also got to look at the ongoing costs of having a child and
their future provision for that child."
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