Working mum VS Stay-at-home mum

Traditionally, married women are expected to stay at home to support the well-being of their children and their families, especially in the Asian context. In the recent years, the position of married women has changed significantly. There has been an increasing number of married women entering the workforce to take up a dual role of responsibility – being a successful business woman and mum/wife at the same time.
YouGov surveyed residents from across Asia-Pacific region about their views towards stay-at-home women and working women.

In Asia, most women in the mum or wife position are working (60%). Among all the countries surveyed, the highest percentage of working mum or wife is in China (75%), while the least percentage is in Indonesia (51%).

Overall, majority of respondents (62%) perceived working wife/mum to be more ideal. This is most supported by female respondents (67%) and respondents with higher education (62%) and income level (60%). In line with the survey results, working mum/wife is most supported by Chinese (80%) while least supported by Indonesian (52%).

If stay-at-home working mums/wives are given a chance, will they still prefer to stick with their current role?

Interestingly, the number of stay-at-home mum/wife perceiving working one as more ideal (36%) is <em>higher than</em> that of working mum/wife perceiving stay-at-home one as more ideal (20%).

For working mums, what they like most about a working mum are:

• Being able to support my family financially (69%)
• Being an example of hard-working for the children (35%)

For working mums, what they dislike most about a working mum are:

• Not being able to accompany the child when the child is sick (51%)
• Not being able to fully educate the child (47%)

For stay-at-home mums, what they like most about a stay-at-home mum are:

• Being able to see the child's development (64%)
• Being able to accompany the child in any situation (57%)

For stay-at-home mums, what they dislike most about a stay-at-home mum are:

• Not being able to support my family financially (65%)
• Not having career / success in work that can be proud of (47%)

Click here to download the infographic.