Modern Families Index report reveals that working dads want a better work-life balance
Half of working fathers would prefer to have a less stressful job in order to spend more time taking care of their children, the latest Modern Families Index report has revealed.
A third of the fathers surveyed about their views on family life also said that they would be happy to take a pay cut in order to achieve a better work-life balance. 69% said that they would consider their childcare arrangements before taking a new job or promotion.
The survey spoke to 2,750 working parents and found that dual-income households are increasingly common, with 68% of families with more than one parent reporting that both were working. Among these, 31% are both working full-time.
However, the report claimed that employed fathers often feel “marginalised” from flexible working opportunities. Meanwhile, mothers working part-time or using flexible schemes said that they felt “side-lined or downgraded”.
The study also found that 68% of families use some form of childcare, despite increasing costs. The average cost of a part-time (25 hours) place at nursery is £117 a week – up 1% since 2015. Parents also make use of multiple forms of childcare with 42% of families using more than one source of childcare, with 31% relying on help from grandparents.