UK Wedding News
14/01/2015
A new survey has found that more than half of people in the UK believe childcare should be shared equally between parents.
The study, by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, discovered that 53% of respondents felt childcare should be the equal responsibility of both parents. Meanwhile, a further 22% said a couple should have the right to choose how they share caring responsibilities, depending on their circumstances.
Elsewhere, less than a quarter felt that women should be solely responsible for looking after their children. Interestingly however, while 50% of women felt childcare should be divided equally, more than half of men said the same.
The research has been commissioned ahead of the introduction of Shared Parental Leave (SPL), which will apply to parents of babies born – or adopted – from 5 April 2015. The new legislation means that parents can split 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay between them during the baby's first year. The rules also allow for parents to suggest a flexible pattern of leave to their employer, and allows for up to three separate blocks of leave, however employers can agree to more.
For two-thirds of respondents, they admitted they would have considered parental leave had it been available to them at the time. Again, more men than women would have considered this option, at 75% and 63%, respectively. For those who are considering having children, four in five said they would consider SPL. Some 57% of men felt being involved in their baby's life would be more beneficial for the whole family, while a third said it would strengthen their relationship with their partner. In addition, six in 10 men said it would help them form a closer bond with their child, while 44% said it would "feel fairer", and 39% said it would also allow their partner to go back to their job or improve their career prospects.
Commenting on the findings, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, said: "We know that mums and dads want more flexibility and choice when it comes to juggling their home and work lives and we're listening and taking action.
"That's why we've introduced Shared Parental Leave so that parents can make their own decisions about how to raise their family, whether it's giving women the choice to go back to work earlier or men the opportunity to spend more time with their children."
Jo Swinson, Employment Relations Minister, added: "Becoming a parent is an amazing, life-changing event. Helping new parents negotiate the balance between their work and family responsibilities will benefit employers through greater staff retention and loyalty.
"This survey shows people are rejecting dated stereotypes about the roles of men and women. Parenting is a shared endeavour and couples want more flexibility when they are adapting to the demands of a new baby.
"Shared Parental Leave will let couples choose how to share their childcare responsibilities in whatever way works best for them, and enable both parents to spend time developing that vital bond with their baby in the early stages."
(JP/CD)
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53% Feel Couples Should Share Childcare
A new survey has found that more than half of people in the UK believe childcare should be shared equally between parents.
The study, by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, discovered that 53% of respondents felt childcare should be the equal responsibility of both parents. Meanwhile, a further 22% said a couple should have the right to choose how they share caring responsibilities, depending on their circumstances.
Elsewhere, less than a quarter felt that women should be solely responsible for looking after their children. Interestingly however, while 50% of women felt childcare should be divided equally, more than half of men said the same.
The research has been commissioned ahead of the introduction of Shared Parental Leave (SPL), which will apply to parents of babies born – or adopted – from 5 April 2015. The new legislation means that parents can split 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay between them during the baby's first year. The rules also allow for parents to suggest a flexible pattern of leave to their employer, and allows for up to three separate blocks of leave, however employers can agree to more.
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For two-thirds of respondents, they admitted they would have considered parental leave had it been available to them at the time. Again, more men than women would have considered this option, at 75% and 63%, respectively. For those who are considering having children, four in five said they would consider SPL. Some 57% of men felt being involved in their baby's life would be more beneficial for the whole family, while a third said it would strengthen their relationship with their partner. In addition, six in 10 men said it would help them form a closer bond with their child, while 44% said it would "feel fairer", and 39% said it would also allow their partner to go back to their job or improve their career prospects.
Commenting on the findings, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, said: "We know that mums and dads want more flexibility and choice when it comes to juggling their home and work lives and we're listening and taking action.
"That's why we've introduced Shared Parental Leave so that parents can make their own decisions about how to raise their family, whether it's giving women the choice to go back to work earlier or men the opportunity to spend more time with their children."
Jo Swinson, Employment Relations Minister, added: "Becoming a parent is an amazing, life-changing event. Helping new parents negotiate the balance between their work and family responsibilities will benefit employers through greater staff retention and loyalty.
"This survey shows people are rejecting dated stereotypes about the roles of men and women. Parenting is a shared endeavour and couples want more flexibility when they are adapting to the demands of a new baby.
"Shared Parental Leave will let couples choose how to share their childcare responsibilities in whatever way works best for them, and enable both parents to spend time developing that vital bond with their baby in the early stages."
(JP/CD)
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