Increase in Stress of Adult Workers in The Netherlands
Description:
In the past 15 years, there has been a sharp increase of dual income and 1.5 income families in the Netherlands. This, combined with an increasing average age (29) that families have their first child is causing higher stress levels as larger gaps between generations cause adult workers to balance their career, child care responsibilities, and the need to take care of aging parents.
Women are more likely to be career focused and to spend more time obtaining an education than 50 years ago. As most men work part time, this leaves less time for non-chore family time. Children are more likely to be in daycare and spend less time with their fathers. Highly educated women are more likely to work full time and wait until after age 30 to have children.
Additionally, as more families are forced to care for their parents and children simultaneously, they are prone to spend more hours working. This creates a cycle as children focus more on their careers as they mature, are prone to delay having children, are more likely to work more hours, and will also need to provide for their aging parents, thus leaving the next generation with the same problem.
To counteract this affect, the government forces companies to allow employees to work part time if it does not affect the functioning of the company. The companies must provide full benefits if an employee works part time. Those that take advantage of this are mostly in non-management positions.
Enablers:
- Consumerism Society
- Aging population
- Restrictive Work-life policies
- Economic pressure
Inhibitors:
- Resurgence of family focused values
- Flexible Work-life policies
- Lack of economic pressure
Paradigms:
Experts:
Sloan work and family research network. Boston College. Dr. Bram Peper - Erasmus University Dr. Laura den Dulk - Erasmus University
Timing:
Main changes over the past 50 years.