Survey: Israeli women choose kids over career

54% of the respondents changed the scope of their careers with the birth of their children, while only 12% of their husbands did so.

By DANIELLE ZIRI
Talk to me baby 521 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Talk to me baby 521
(photo credit: REUTERS)
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.