Economic Pressures Challenge Parenthood in Spain: A Survey Analysis
In a thought-provoking survey conducted by the CIS from December 11 to 19, revealing the complexities of parenthood in Spain, three out of four parents were found to be employed when their first child was born, with two-thirds working full-time. Yet, alarmingly, half of these parents chose not to take any leave after childbirth or to care for their children.
This insight was part of the Fecundity Family and Childhood survey, which collected responses from 5,742 individuals. The results highlight an increasing apprehension among Spaniards regarding the financial implications of raising children, particularly concerning soaring housing prices, rising unemployment rates, and escalating food costs.
The survey noted that economic constraints are significant barriers to parenthood; a staggering 77.3% of respondents pointed to a lack of financial resources as a barrier to having children. For 50.3%, this was identified as the primary reason, while 44.1% mentioned difficulties in reconciling work and family life. Additionally, a notable 26.4% indicated a desire to avoid hindrance to their professional careers as a deterrent to starting a family.
The perception that having children negatively impacts work opportunities was prevalent, with 69.9% of participants agreeing that parenting can impede career advancement—especially for mothers. Furthermore, 87.7% acknowledged that raising children entails a financial burden.
Despite these concerns, the survey revealed that 93.1% of respondents find joy in witnessing their children grow up. Notably, one-third of those interviewed did not have children, but a significant 58.9% expressed a desire to become parents in the future. Among parents, half reported having two children, regarded as the ideal number by 43.7% of respondents, while 27.4% opted for three children, and 58.6% expressed no intent to expand their families further.
The results also highlighted a disturbing statistic: the number of parents not taking their designated maternity and paternity leave surpassed those who did so, with 50.8% and 48.6% respectively not utilizing this parental benefit. Of those who did take leave, only 11.3% reduced their working hours significantly, while 28.1% utilized leave for 1 to 6 months and 14.6% for two years. A mere 4.7% opted for a leave of absence, where 4.3% extended their leave between 1 and 6 months, and 32.9% took a year off.
Interestingly, while 38.1% indicated that becoming first-time parents had stabilized their employment, 29.2% felt their promotion opportunities suffered post-parenthood. Nonetheless, 52.3% reported that having children did not hinder their professional journey.
The survey also captured the balance of household and caregiving tasks, revealing that 11% of respondents dedicate over 41 hours weekly to care for minors, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities. Most respondents spend 8 to 20 hours on household chores, but 43.1% reported feeling too fatigued to engage in these tasks after work multiple times a week. Additionally, 15.9% admitted difficulty managing family responsibilities alongside their work commitments.
In light of these findings, a considerable 47.6% of respondents urged the government to introduce more flexible work hours for employees with family responsibilities, while 31% called for improved tax benefits for families with children.
When it comes to childhood challenges, Spaniards primarily identified issues within the education system (30.2%), a perceived lack of values and education (30.1%), and economic hardships (20.3%) as the top three problems facing children today. Screen addiction was also a significant concern, being mentioned by 19.8% of respondents. Nevertheless, 43.2% of those surveyed believed that today's children are likely to enjoy a childhood that is equally or more fulfilling than their own, suggesting a glimmer of optimism among the population.
Overall, while the data illustrates the hurdles faced by parents in Spain, it also reveals a substantial desire for change and improvement in policies that could support families and facilitate a more balanced work-life dynamic.
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