By IANS,
New Delhi : Increasing pressure at the work place is forcing fathers to spend lesser time with their children, leaving the mothers to juggle office and household work and also bring up the children, a latest survey by an industry lobby has pointed out.
According to a survey conducted by the social development foundation of Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham), in majority of cases, male parents admitted to not fulfilling their complete responsibilities towards their children.
That shifted the complete pressure on mothers who have to struggle not only with household chores and office but also in bringing up the children, the survey said.
D.S. Rawat, secretary general Assocham said: “only four percent working fathers admitted that they take out time to supervise and monitor the homework of their children.”
“Remaining 96 percent fathers blamed the current job trends for not being able to take care of their children. As a result the burden falls on their spouses who have to cope with home and office pressures and also look after the children,” Rawat said.
Out of 96 percent working fathers, 7 percent said that they help their children with homework occasionally while 24 percent said they help only if their children ask. The remaining 65 percent said they do not help at all.
On the other hand, 65 percent working mother are more likely to help their children with homework.
Working mothers are also most likely to do school projects with their children (83 percent) and read with their children (79 percent).
However, only 20 percent of the mothers said that they play sports with their children. Male parents are more likely to play sports with their kids.
“About 76 percent parents that work long or irregular hours are not available for children after school,” says the survey.
“Fathers who are closely involved in their children’s upbringing have a positive impact upon their academic achievement,” point out the survey.
Benefits of involvement of fathers in their children’s upbringing include better educational achievement, good relationships in adolescence and adulthood, fewer behavioural problems, and better cognitive and psychosocial development.
Children whose fathers play an active role in their upbringing and are also less likely to drink and use drugs, the survey added.