More Fathers Willing to Make Career Changes for Better Work-Life Balance

A recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive and consulting firm EY provides proof that traditional gender roles are slowly shifting when it comes to working parents.

According to survey results, more fathers are willing to make career sacrifices than women in order to achieve a better work-life balance. In a breakdown done by The Huffington Post, of the 9,699 workers surveyed across eight countries, 67 percent of U.S. men, compared with 57 percent of women, said they have changed jobs or will be willing to do so in order to better serve their family needs. Fifty-seven percent of men, compared to 49 percent of women, said they have or will be willing to give up a promotion and 36 percent of men, compared to 33 percent of women, said they have or will be willing to take a pay cut.

EY’s diversity and inclusive officer Karyn Twaronite says she believes men are more willing to alter their careers because they have less to lose and are more confident they will be able to get back on their career track. Last month, Wendy Williams opened up about her thoughts on career and family life saying she feels like “marriage and babies stunt a woman’s growth career-wise.” She advised women to spend their entire 20s focusing on their career and waiting until their 30s to settle down with a spouse.

“Even if you’ve met him at 27, don’t get engaged and don’t move to where he is. This is about you and your career because we are the ones that lose in marriage. Not men,” said Williams.

Do you agree with Twaronite and Williams that men have less to lose when it comes to altering their career for better work-life balance than women? Sound off in the comment section below.