It's been hard to miss the online chatter around a summer holidays parenting meme doing the rounds. Stating that kids only have 18 summers, it aims to focus parents on being present with their families before they’re grown up and the time and associated summer memories are lost forever. For many parents, particularly mothers, this has gone down like a dead weight.
Why? For Millennial parents being present is a top priority. As Millennial parents reflect on missed moments and conversations that took place in their own childhood homes, they are eager to ensure they are present in all areas of their child’s life at any given moment. This desire to be 100% available to their child is at the very heart of their household and lifestyle decisions. Our Raising Gen A white paper revealed that 77% of parents are prioritising time with the children over careers. So six weeks without school providing a childcare solution is a juggle.
The latest ONS data* shows the number of working women in the UK is now 2 million more than in 2010. Women in high-skilled jobs is up 38.5% since 2010, with proportion of women progressing into top management roles growing by almost 25% over last 12 years. In the US, women now account for more than half (50.7%) of the college-educated labour force, according to a Pew Research Center* analysis of government data.
However, despite women being a larger part of the workforce than ever before, it is Millennial mums, rather than dads (59% vs 49%) who are more likely to be putting their career on hold or giving less attention to work to focus on raising children.
Although half of Millennial dads say they give less attention to work in comparison with 37% of Gen X dads, they are no more likely than Gen X dads to actually prioritise time with their children over their careers. Millennial dads certainly have a different mindset from previous generations, but the reality is, as yet, not matching the desire. Instead, it is the most educated and successful generation of women who are choosing to take a step back from the career ladder and making the necessary adjustments and sacrifices to focus on raising happy children by being present and available at any given time.
There is no doubt that gender differences in parenting have shifted over the years, due, in part, to more enlightened employment policies such as shared maternity/paternity leave, especially in the UK. These changes have helped to challenge the perception that mums need to be the main caregiver. Progressive social attitudes and the ever-evolving face of the modern man are also leading to more open dialogues and shifts within the family dynamic.
However, despite the clear willingness for shared parenting, the reality is somewhat different. 62% of dads of Millennial dads reported that they share parenting duties equally with their partner but only 43% of Millennial mums said the same. While Millennial dads as the main caregiver are an increasing proportion, more Millennial mums (50%) are doing most of the parenting.
So only 18 summers? That’s a huge emotional burden for Millennial mums who want to be present for every little moment with their families whilst juggling work commitments.
If you’d like to know more about Millennial parents and how to engage them and their families please get in touch and use our brain. We’re here to help.
* ONS, 2022, Pew Research Centre Sept 2022