A new research report into motherhood published today by iconic Irish brand, Sudocrem, has found that the majority of Irish mothers (89%) feel fulfilled in their role, but only 12% feel valued by society. 
 
Amárach Research, on behalf of Sudocrem, surveyed 400 mothers of young children and 400 grandmothers who are themselves mothers to adult daughters with children. The survey explored a variety of issues, including feelings towards motherhood, mothers’ ‘me-time’ and quality of life.
 
The survey found that today’s mothers are generally happy and satisfied with their role as mothers and a majority say they have a good work-life balance. Today’s mothers say their quality of life is better than it was for their mothers, with whom they enjoy strong relationships.

However, today’s mothers also face challenges, many societal, which although changing are not fully overcome. Many mothers feel they are not valued in the role, lack self-confidence and struggle to get their partner to contribute to household chores.

Almost nine out of ten of today’s mothers (89%) say they are satisfied with their role as a mother but only one in three mothers (35%) feel valued by their family, with an even smaller number, one in ten (12%), feeling valued by society.
 
A third of today’s mothers rarely or never have time for themselves, while 60% say they were not able to continue to pursue hobbies after becoming a mother.
 
Half of all mothers are happy with their work life balance, but 42% believe it could be better. Almost two out of three of today’s mothers (63%) said they would prefer to stay at home to raise their children, if they had the option and were in a financial position to do so.

According to the report, only 14% of partners undertake at least half of all housework, while 19% undertake no household chores whatsoever.

Commenting on the report, Writer, broadcaster and mum, Maia Dunphy said, "The fact that two-out-of-three of today’s mothers would like to be stay-at-home mothers perhaps indicates a shift from the attitudes of their own mothers, many of whom encouraged their daughters to pursue a career outside the home. Our society must consider how we can facilitate mothers (and fathers, too) in having greater time at home with their young children. A number of factors, like extending maternity and paternity leave, more flexible working conditions for parents, more affordable housing and reducing commute times all come into play."

Source: www.businessworld.ie