Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1521306
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 MAY 2024 8 OPINION Is our work-life balance supporting family size? THE International Day of Families com- memorated on 15 May provides the occasion to celebrate the importance of family in our lives. Family is a funda- mental element of human life, pivotal to personal and societal development. It offers a sense of belonging, support, and security and is an essential source of love and affection. In modern society, family structures vary widely, including traditional nuclear families, extended families, single-parent households, and non-traditional arrangements such as blended families and chosen families. Whether traditional or non-traditional, the importance of family cannot be over- stated. Indeed, families also play a piv- otal role in the development of children, providing a stable and nurturing envi- ronment where they can learn, grow, and develop into confident and capable adults. This international day reminds us of families' essential role in society and the need to prioritise their well-being. Given the evolving dynamics of mod- ern life, achieving a work-life balance has become central to a healthy family life. This topic was highlighted in a com- prehensive study undertaken by the Na- tional Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) titled 'Perceptions and Attitudes of Women and Men in Malta towards Work-Life Balance: with a spe- cific focus on Family Size' The study looked at whether wom- en and men aged 18 to 39 want to have (more) children and sought to identify factors influencing their decisions. Based on an understanding of the challenges in reconciling work and care responsibili- ties, the study puts forward recommen- dations to support couples in having more children in view that Malta's fer- tility rate has decreased. In fact, it has reached the lowest fertility rate across the EU with 1.13 live births per woman. The NCPE's research reveals that chal- lenges in reconciling work and childcare responsibilities are prevalent, affect- ing both men and women. Suffice it to say that 67.6% of women and 58.6% of men find it difficult to fulfil their fami- ly responsibilities at times or frequently. Whilst the percentage is high for both genders, the disparity highlights the ex- isting imbalances, indicating that wom- en bear a larger burden of childcare and household chores than men. Notably, only 1% of men take on most of the re- sponsibilities related to childcare. The need for an extended parental leave period was expressed by many, with 65.4% of women and 56% of men claiming that the leave period should be of at least six months; whilst almost a quarter of women want parental leave to be extended to 12 months. Furthermore, almost 90% of all respondents advocate for specific leave for parents when their children are sick. Over the last years, various incentives and measures have been implemented to support parents in reconciling their work with their family responsibilities. In this context, women's participation in the labour market has increased signifi- cantly. However, gender gaps in care persist. Women are more likely than men to take care of children and to reduce their working time to care for children and other relatives. Such gender inequalities not only negatively impact career ad- vancement opportunities and women's earnings, but they can also have an im- pact on the decisions taken in terms of family size. Nearly half of the female respondents (46.1%) indicated that they can be influ- enced by an imbalance in care in their de- cisions to have a child or another child. Additionally, 19 fathers and 28 mothers out of 405 respondents with one child cited a difficulty with work-life balance as a reason for not having/not being sure about having another child (11.6%). These findings underscore the need to address gender imbalances and promote a more equitable distribution of domes- tic work and childcare responsibilities that may influence parents in their deci- sions to have (more) children. This reality is not limited to Malta. The United Nations noted that, on av- erage, women spend more than twice as much time on unpaid domestic work as men in low-fertility countries. Hence, countries with low fertility have adopt- ed a larger number of policy measures to promote work-family balance often aiming at increasing birth rates. How- ever, fertility rates remain low. This emphasises the importance of comprehensive policy revisions, includ- ing more effective policies to support parents in bringing up their children. Awareness campaigns are also needed to promote gender equality, sensitise men to share care responsibilities and avail of family-friendly measures whilst facilitating the uptake of family leave options that are vital to challenge tradi- tional roles and stereotypes. We must recognise that a healthy work-life balance for both parents is essential for supporting family size by prioritising policies and initiatives that promote flexibility, inclusivity, and family support. This development can only become a reality with strong, publicly expressed, commitment by all stakeholders. Whether traditional or non-traditional, the importance of family cannot be overstated. Indeed, families also play a pivotal role in the development of children, providing a stable and nurturing environment where they can learn, grow, and develop into confident and capable adults. Renee Laiviera is Commissioner of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) Renee Laiviera