Almost twice as many men in Germany believe that couples should have children, compared to women, DPA reported, citing a study published today, quoted by BTA.
According to the results prepared by the sociological research agency “Ipsos“, 59% of the men surveyed expressed this opinion, while the share among women was only 33%. Within the European Union, data shows that 53% of men and 39% of women believe that partners should have children.
The online survey, conducted from February 15 to April 23, surveyed 1,000 people in Germany aged between 16 and 74.
Experts explain this difference by the fact that women's lives are more strongly influenced by having and raising children, compared to men, whose main priority often remains professional development. “Women often invest a lot of time and money in education, work and career,“ explains psychologist Maraile Pöttering from Sonthofen, southern Bavaria. “That is why they have legitimate concerns that their careers will be affected if they decide to become mothers.“
Childbirth often affects women's professional development, with some mothers being reassigned to lower positions or even losing their jobs, Pöttering adds.
The challenge of reconciling family and career is even greater in Germany, where many companies do not offer flexible working arrangements that are convenient for people with families, she explains.
For many women, financial independence is an important priority, and they also worry that they will not be able to afford to start a family. “And these concerns are completely legitimate,“ adds Pöttering. “When we have children, it often means we need a bigger home, and right now there are few of them and their prices are extremely high. In addition, costs are constantly rising, and young couples often live far from their relatives and cannot count on help with raising a child.“
Women without children often say that they do not feel ready to take on the “challenge of raising a child,“ especially when they see how committed young mothers around them are.
Middle-class women are particularly affected by the many social obstacles, adds psychologist Petra Jagow from Cologne. Among wealthier families, there are more resources for raising children, while among poorer ones, family is often seen as a better alternative to education.
Experts also take into account differences in life expectancies. “In Germany, compared to other countries, raising a child is particularly difficult due to social conditions,“ Jagow points out. “In general, women may want a child, but they are not willing to pay the high price for it.“
To change this trend, it is necessary to improve social welfare for children, working conditions and pension schemes, she notes.