Mothers are under financial pressure to go back to work after having children according to research by Norwich Union.
Mothers are under financial pressure to go back to work after having children according to research by Norwich Union.
64% of women said they resumed working because their family needed the money, suggesting the idea of women working for “pin money” is a thing of the past.
The research also goes against the “super mum” image of those who want both a successful career and family life with only 14% going back to work to continue with their career. The findings suggest that the majority of mothers would like to stay at home with their children if they could afford to do so but this is simply not possible.
Other findings from the research found that 9% went back to work because of boredom. It revealed that mothers in the North are the most bored at home with 16% returning to work because of boredom compared to a mere 3% in the South.
Surprisingly, only 1% of mothers were desperate to return to work because they missed their colleagues.
Norwich Union spokeswoman Louise Goffee said: “In times when we think that women can have it all, it is surprising how many do not want to continue with their career. The research also highlights how many families rely on two salaries to pay for their mortgages, children and lifestyle compared to even ten years ago when fathers were regarded as the breadwinners of the family.”
Notes to editors
- Fieldwork for research undertaken by Norwich Union took place during July 2001
- CGU plc and Norwich Union plc merged on 30 May 2000 to create CGNU plc, the UK’s largest insurance group and one of the top-five insurers in Europe with substantial positions in other markets around the world, making it the world’s sixth largest insurer based on gross worldwide premiums.
- CGNU’s principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide premium income and retail investment sales from ongoing business of over Ł27 billion and assets under management of more than Ł200 billion (as at 30 June 2001)
- From October 2000, the combined life and pensions, general insurance and retail fund management businesses in the UK operate under the Norwich Union brand, while the institutional investment business operates under the Morley Fund Management brand.
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