As we know, more and more women are in the workforce today and many of these women are also mothers. Although we have more mothers working today, many of who work long hours, a new report says that women spend just as much time with their kids today as they did 40 years ago when most women did not work outside the home. Fathers are also making gains on the homefront. For instance, the report shows that fathers are doing more housework and taking care of their kids more today. This can mainly be attributed to the fact that more married women with children are working. Other interesting results from this new finding show that:
Both mothers and fathers spend approximately the same amount of time, 65 hours a week, in total workload. This includes paid and unpaid work.
In 1965, 60% of children lived in a family where the father was the breadwinner and the mother was a stay-at-home mom. Today only about 30 percent of children live in such families.
Both married and single parents are spending more time teaching, playing with and caring for their children than parents did 40 years ago.
When it comes to time spent on child care activities, married mothers spent an average of 12.9 hours a week in 2000. In 1965, they spent about 10.6 hours a week.
As for married fathers, they spent 6.5 hours on child care activities in 2000 and just 2.6 in 1965.
Single mothers spent about 11.8 hours a week on child care in 2000, while in 1965 they spent on average 7.5 hours.
Married fathers spent 9.7 hours a week on housework in 2000, up from just 4.4 hours in 1965. While married mothers spent 19.4 hours a week in 2000, down from 34.5 hours in 1965.
For those women who work outside the house and may feel guilty about the amount of time you are able to spend with your kids, it seems the good news is you are spending just as much time today as your parents did 40 years ago. And for you fathers out there– keep up the good work!