According to a recent survey, more than 70 percent of parents in Austria with children under the age of four work an average of 7.7 hours per day for men and 3.6 for women. When it comes to childcare, almost all of the more than 500 respondents say they are team players.
According to the 3rd Milupa Family World Study commissioned by Danone Austria, there is room for improvement in terms of equal cooperation in dealing with children and in the household: mothers spend significantly more time on this than fathers, with 14.1 and 8 respectively .9 percent of the day 8.8 and 5.6 percent. The imbalance in the household is one of the most common points of conflict for 43.6 percent.
“Equal cooperation also helps to better distribute the ‘mental load’ between the parents and thus avoid excessive demands,” says Irmingard Demitsch, head of Aptaclub’s parent service. Compared to 2018, when the survey was first conducted, the trend of ‘dedicated fathers’ continues.
Families try to save
Sticking to the household budget is apparently becoming more of a ‘walking rope’. Mothers and fathers want to combat this with measures such as shopping lists (35.2 percent), giving up expensive leisure activities (33.2 percent) and reducing energy consumption (31.6 percent). A third also tries to shop less. Exchange markets and second-hand are used by almost a quarter – also because climate change is becoming increasingly important. 15.4 percent indicate that they do not take a holiday. Only 5.3 percent do not feel personally affected by the current difficult financial situation.
worries about the future
In the face of many crises, concerns about a secure future for the next generation are growing. One of the top concerns for this – that the children would be ‘on the wrong track’ through ‘wrong’ circles of friends – takes up only 42.6 percent compared to 58 percent in 2018. The concern about ‘parenting errors’ remains: about one third also fear losing patience quickly, not reacting properly in difficult situations or making wrong decisions – women more often than men.
Time as a rare commodity
Parents spend about a quarter of the day working, the same amount of time with the family and children, plus household chores and daily errands. About 20 percent indicate that they rarely or never have time for themselves. Only five percent of the daily workload is dedicated to the partner, most (22.1 percent) use it in the evening when the children are asleep. The limited time together is reflected in, among other things, long working days (16.8 percent), too little time (15.7 percent) and being tired in the evening (15.1 percent). However, 52.6 percent of parents also find it difficult to take their partner’s needs into account in the middle of family life.
Social image of parents fulfilled?
Just over half feel the pressure to conform to a social image of parenthood. More than 90 percent of mothers and eight out of ten fathers indicate that they basically feel safe in their role as a parent. However, a third imagined daily family life would be easier. Mothers between the ages of 20 and 24 are less surprised by the demands; the clearest difference between perception and reality is among 30 to 34 year olds.
Social media for parenting problems
When it comes to education issues, about half express an interest in consulting services. 62.9 percent use social media channels, family blogs and online forums several times a week, especially by young people: Almost 55 percent of those under 30 use social media as a source of information.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
