THEWork in Italy is still today perceived by mothers as one of the obstacles to the birth rate. This is one of the clear aspects that emerged from the research “Firms and birth rates in Italy”, carried out by the Family Observatory of Sfera MediaGroup, edited by Federico Gilardi (Markert Research Manager of Sfera MediaGroup). Purpose of the survey to analyze the different dynamics that took place between worker and company, pre and post maternity. The occasion was the second edition of States General of the birth ratethe largest Italian event dedicated to fighting the demographic crisis organized by the newborn Birth foundationchaired by Gigi De Palo.
Italy is not a country for working mothers
The research, aimed at mothers with at least one child under the age of 6 and carried out through databases Ball And RCS, brought out strongly the importance of the role of companies in the decision-making process of the birth rate, with worrying data.
More than 60% (and 35% very importantly) of the women responding to the research have stated that the fear of negative consequences at workand in particular due to the difficulty of reconciling work and family, delayed the choice to have children.
Unfortunately, a well-motivated fear, because in 80% of cases, mothers declare that they have had negative consequences linked to the difficulty of reconciling work / family following the birth of the first child, thus increasing the fear of thinking about a later child. Data that are found both in the age at birth and in the total number of children.
The role of companies
Mom at work in smart working. (Getty Images)
The research shows how companies, disadvantageous or not expressing a clear position on the subject and by not activating dedicated welfare tools, they feed the fears of future mothers. A surprise comes from the contexts. Contrary to common thought, on average the small businesses I am more virtuous than medium-sized and even large companies, and the phenomenon, although transversal to all of Italy, sees the center-south slightly more attentive and, conversely, the north-west among the most negative.
Among the welfare tools considered most decisive by mothers, those for conciliation stand out: with the request for time flexibility (50%), followed by the company crèche (24%).
In this sense, over 70% of respondents (which rises to80% of those who have already tried it) considers smart working a useful ally for conciliation and most would accept to do so. Among the different models, the one considered most effective is that hybrid, with more days in smart working than in presence (3: 2).
Paternity leave
Another determining factor is that dads don’t give up on work to be next to mom: only 40% of new fathers took parternity leave 3 days (only brought to 10 days later), e less than 10% take more than a week off and, also for cultural reasons, only a very marginal part would accept a substitution between maternal and paternal leave.
The irreplaceable ones are confirmed instead grandparents, essential for 67% of parents to be able to cope with the management of children: during work, in emergencies, for school commitments or even just to carve out a space for rest.
Sphere to the General States of the birth rate
Over the three meetings proposed by Ball within the event – It can be done: Health, Reconciliation and Reality, a point was also made between media and health, support and prevention, welfare and conciliation, maternity and paternity and work. From which some urgent needs emerged:
– the promotion of a balanced media narrative, capable of constructing a social narrative of motherhood and fatherhood that is realistic, supportive and based on solid scientific knowledge;
– the creation of a synergistic planning on education for young people and support for families throughout Italy;
– the implementation of concrete actions aimed at reconciling work and family, through corporate welfare, smart working, parental leave. Shared corporate “best cases” demonstrate that work and children are compatible.
«The data that emerged from the research and from the round tables underline a bleak situation, but they also say that the solutions are there“ – commented Chiara Bidoli, director of children’s magazines of RCS MediaGroup – “From here we have to start again, even with drastic changes in mentality. Doctors, specialists, entrepreneurs, journalists all agree, we need to move now and concretely help families, in the public as well as in the private sector “.
The meetings, moderated by Chiara Bidoli, were attended by:
It can be done: HEALTHwithNicola Colacurcipresident of the Italian Society of Gynecology; Maria Grazia Fanchidirector of the Master of Health Communication and of ALMED of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Milan; Luigi Orfeopresident of the Italian Society of Neonatology; Annamaria Staianopresident of the Italian Society of Pediatrics
It can be done: CONCILIATE: Vito Cozzolipresident and CEO of Sport e Salute SpA, Francesca Fraulinihead of people & performance Plasmon; Fabrizio GavelliCEO of Danone Company Italy and Greece; Francesca Valla (Nanny Francesca)teacher and writer.
You can make it REAL: Gigi De Palopresident of the Birth Foundation and national president of the Forum of Family Associations, will talk about it: Julia Ellemother influencer; Alessandro Rosinaprofessor of Demography and Statistics and writer; Danda Santinidirector of iO Donna e Amica.
Up www.statigeneralidellanatalita.it the program of General states of birth, which will end tomorrow.
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