Nearly as many working moms (34 percent) are the sole financial providers in their families as men (39 percent), according to a new survey by CareerBuilder.
The survey also found that, with more women taking on financial responsibilities for their families and today's demanding work environments, some women feel they have to reduce their time on maternity leave.
Among female respondents who have had a child in the past three years, 30 percent did not take the full time allotted by maternity leave. Forty-five percent of those respondents report that they took more than eight weeks of maternity leave; however, 17 percent took off four weeks or less, and 12 percent took only two weeks or less.
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The survey also found that female respondents say they have difficulties finding the right work-life balance. Nearly a quarter of female respondents say they spend just two hours or less with their children during each day of the workweek, and 28 percent of female respondents even say their children have asked them to work less.
Another 17 percent of females respondents agree that their jobs are taking a toll on their relationships with their children while 12 percent of female respondents say negative impacts are occurring in their relationships with their spouses or significant others, as well.
"The household dynamic has changed over the years with women reshaping traditional roles," said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. "Women account for more than half of the U.S. work force and are often the breadwinners for their households. While many women successfully manage careers and families, the quest for more quality time at home will always be top of mind."
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