A new study has found that more than two years after COVID-19, pandemic-related stressors continue to have a disproportionate negative impact on mothers’ mental health and careers.
A survey of more than 1,500 Canadians conducted by Maru / Matchbox on behalf of the Canadian Women’s Foundation in April found that 48% of mothers in Canada say they reach a breaking point, compared to 39% of fathers.
Last year, the foundation’s survey found that 46% of mothers had reached their breaking point. The 2021 survey also found that 55% of mothers are concerned about their physical health, compared to 67% this year.
“The foundation reviewed the national survey this year, and despite changes in pandemic protection, the April 2022 study shows that circumstances have not improved for those caring for them. “Mothers are disproportionately affected, especially when it comes to their health and careers,” the group said in a press release issued Thursday.
At work, 39% of mothers say they are struggling to cope with job requirements – a significant jump of 28% in 2021. Nearly half (47%) of mothers also say it is exhausting to balance work and responsibilities for babysitting.
In addition, it was found that 37% of mothers in this year’s survey were more likely to put their careers in the background to manage household and parental responsibilities, compared to only 19% of fathers. More mothers than fathers also report feeling anxious, sad and upset when asked to describe how they feel these days.
The study found that mothers report doing more than half of their work when it comes to parenting tasks, such as planning activities for their children, supporting their education and arranging for them when schools are closed.
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