A newly released survey from Pew Research is shining a light on a challenge that millions of American families know all too well — the feeling that being a good employee and a good parent at the same time is nearly impossible.
The survey found that many working parents feel they simply cannot give everything they have to both their careers and their home lives simultaneously. As one sentiment captured in the research put it, there is “no way to be two things at once.”
According to the findings, the difficulty of balancing professional responsibilities with family demands leaves many parents feeling stretched too thin on both fronts. Neither their employer nor their children are getting 100% of their attention and energy.
Researchers point to certain workplace benefits as potential solutions that could make a meaningful difference for struggling families. Access to paid sick leave and more affordable childcare were identified as two key supports that could help working parents better manage their dual responsibilities.
The findings underscore a broader national conversation about what employers and policymakers can do to better support the growing number of households where all adults are in the workforce while also raising children.
