Survey reveals grim picture in US and UK for women trying to balance parenthood and careers

Research from the US indicates nine out of 10 working mothers believe parenthood has harmed their career progress while similar data from the UK shows three-quarters of working mothers think having children has negatively affected their professional lives. 

According to the survey of 900 American women, carried out by career services platform Zety, nearly all (90%) of working mothers say they have changed careers – and even industries – after having children. And 89% say they have faced questions about their parental status in job interviews or reviews while 84% said they feared announcing pregnancy at work. More than half (57%) of women said they delayed having children because to career pressures, while 32% had children earlier than planned for work-related reasons.