Israeli women continue to choose their children over their careers, according to
a survey released this week by Young Na’amat, a leadership program for
volunteers fostered by the Na’amat women’s organization.
The survey was
conducted among 500 women across the country who have at least one child aged 10
years old or younger.
Fifty-four percent of the respondents changed the
scope of their careers with the birth of their children, while only 12 percent
of their husbands did so.
The higher the income of couples, the greater
the unequal distribution of tasks when it comes to taking care of the children,
the survey reported.
Some 56 percent of women feel that they are not
fully fulfilling their aspirations and expectations both in family life and in
the professional sphere.
In addition, 18 percent of women reduced the
number of work hours after the birth of their children, 11 percent temporarily
stopped working, and 7 percent traded their job for one that would be more
compatible with the care of the children.
“The findings of the survey
indicate that women are still the primary caretakers both for the home and the
children, and they feel that they are forced to compromise their professional
ambitions,” said Orly Bitty, a board member and founder of Young Na’amat.