In a new iVillage national survey on motherhood, we asked over 1000 people to weigh in with their thoughts on everything from family to finance, from sex to spirituality. And the findings were fascinating!
Did you know...
...that moms have an easier time talking to their kids about sex than about financial discipline?
...that more women feel connected to their friends than to their children?
...that half of women think stay-at-home moms and working moms have a difficult time relating to one another?
Take a look at the numbers -- and then tell us what you think!
On Feeling Connected
More women (75%) felt a strong connection to their friends than to their own children (70%).
Only 64% of women surveyed said they felt very connected to their spouse/partner.
On Moms and Friendship
The majority of mothers (85%) tend to have more friends with children than without.
50% of women said that stay-at-home moms and working moms have a difficult time relating to one another.
On Mom's Job
80% of women disagree that stay-at-home moms have it easier than working moms. 61% of mothers felt that if money were not a factor, it was best for mothers to stay at home if they had children under 5 years old.
Mothers found it nearly twice as difficult to teach their children about financial discipline than about the birds and the bees.
Moms also felt that religion / spirituality was the easiest value to teach their children (64%), easier than "the value of" education (62%), morality (52%) and healthy living (46%).
On Modern Moms vs. Moms of the Previous Generation
61% of moms with children under 18 say they spend more time with their children than their mothers did.
79% of women say working moms still feel guilty about not staying home with their children.
74% of women disagree that today's mothers have it easier than previous generations despite the popularity of work-life balance programs in companies around the country and the technology that allows families to stay closely connected.
On Women vs. Men
70% of women say they feel very connected to their children.
58% of men say they feel very connected to their children.
About the poll: The results contained in this report are based on telephone interviews conducted from April 20-22, 2007. A total of 1,011 interviews were completed, with 533 female adults and 478 male adults. The margin of error for this study is +/- 3 percentage points and is higher for subgroups.
91 member responses
members say:
Working Moms
I have found myself struggling with this issue so much lately. We are really struggling financially and it is starting to look like I am going to have to go back to work. I have so much respect for both moms who stay at home and ones that work. It is hard being a parent. I think we should all respect each others' choice because it is what is best for our family.
--Posted by Christen, Warrenton, MO
