NEW YORK (AP) — The vast majority of parents who work full time say they regularly find themselves doing both jobs at once — handling work tasks while with their kids, and dealing with family matters while on the clock. They also share a deep frustration about missing important moments in their children’s lives. But when it comes to who handles the housework and how parenthood affects career growth, mothers and fathers often tell very different stories.
These findings come from a newly published Pew Research Center study that surveyed 2,242 working parents between March 2 and March 15.
According to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, the share of two-parent households where both partners work full time has been climbing steadily. A decade ago, 46% of married or cohabiting families with children under 18 had both parents working full time. Back in 1975, that figure was just 31%.
Much of that growth has been fueled by mothers who hold bachelor’s or postgraduate degrees, during a period when women have surpassed men in earning college credentials. In 2025, about 56% of mothers with bachelor’s degrees and 69% of mothers with postgraduate degrees worked full time — up from 50% and 59%, respectively, in 2000. Meanwhile, the share of mothers without college degrees working full time has remained relatively flat at 43%, compared to 46% in 2000.
Across all family types — including single, divorced, and same-sex partner households — 89% of fathers and 59% of mothers with children under 18 are employed full time.
The survey found that 81% of full-time working mothers said they handle parenting tasks while at work at least sometimes, compared to 62% of fathers who said the same. Meanwhile, 63% of moms and 57% of dads reported taking care of work responsibilities while spending time with their children.
Luona Lin, a research associate at the Pew Research Center who co-authored the study, described one of the report’s central takeaways: “One of the major findings we have from this study is just a large share of parents who experience these blurred boundaries between family and work. And we find that moms often carry more of the mental load that comes with trying to balance what their family needs with what their work demands.”
Nearly all full-time working parents — about 9 in 10 — said they felt upset when their job caused them to miss a child’s concert, game, or other event. That included 55% who described themselves as “extremely” or “very” upset. However, the emotional impact hit mothers harder: 65% of full-time working moms said they were “extremely” or “very” upset in those situations, compared to 45% of fathers. About 31% of mothers said they were “somewhat upset,” while 42% of dads used that description.
Lin noted, “It’s not to say dads aren’t experiencing any of the challenges in balancing work and family lives. It’s just that moms are experiencing more of it.”
Finding time for personal wellness is also a bigger challenge for working mothers. While 65% of full-time working moms said they lacked enough time to exercise, 52% of dads reported the same. Mothers were also more likely than fathers to say they had too little time for hobbies, socializing with friends, relaxing, and spending quality time with their spouse or partner.
One of the sharpest divides in the survey involves household chores. Among full-time working mothers, 63% said they personally handle most of the housework. But among working fathers, 50% said chores were split equally, and only 25% acknowledged that mothers take on most of the burden.
A similar disconnect showed up around daily parenting duties. About 63% of moms said they handle the majority of day-to-day parenting tasks, but only 41% of fathers agreed with that assessment. Instead, 47% of dads believed those responsibilities were divided equally.
Career advancement is another area where perceptions diverge. About 52% of full-time working mothers said parenthood made it “a lot” or “somewhat” harder to move up in their jobs or careers, while only 38% of fathers felt the same way. And 61% of mothers said their jobs made it harder to be a good parent, compared to 45% of fathers who shared that view.
Feelings of not being fully present — either at work or at home — were also more common among mothers. About 52% of full-time working moms said they felt they couldn’t give 100% at work due to the demands of balancing family and career, compared to 38% of fathers. At home, 67% of mothers said they felt they couldn’t give their full effort, while 50% of dads said the same.
Despite higher rates of workforce participation and college education among women, they continue to lag behind men in wages and career advancement. Researchers have long pointed to the so-called “motherhood penalty” as a key driver of the ongoing wage gap between men and women.
When asked about the overall trade-offs of having both parents work full time, opinions were mixed. About 83% of parents in that situation said it had a “somewhat” or “very” positive effect on the family’s finances. About half — 49% — said it had a positive impact on their children’s well-being. Still, only around 22% said it had a negative effect on their kids, while about 29% said it had neither a positive nor negative impact.
