The Environics Institute for Survey Research, in partnership with the Future Skills Centre and the Diversity Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University, published The Impact of Having Children on Careers report, which was funded by the Government of Canada‘s Future Skills Program. Data from the Survey on Employment & Skills was the basis for the report, specifically questions asking Canadians aged 18-44 who are in the labour force about their expectations and experiences relating to having children and the impact on their careers.

The research findings cover two related issues: the penalties women face when they become mothers, notably loss of employment income and diminished career opportunities, and the concern that younger adults in Canada today may be less interested than previous generations were in having children. One in four respondents (25%) expects that having children would have a negative impact on their career. Women (30%) are more likely than men (20%) to expect that having children would have a negative impact on their career. And women are twice as likely to expect a negative (30%) rather than a positive (15%) impact.

The research further investigated parents’ perceptions of the impact that having children has had on their careers. The report notes that nearly half of respondents (47%), perceived that having children has not really had an impact on their careers. While 32% of respondents noted that having children has had a positive impact on their career, 16% of respondents indicated that the impact has been negative.

According to the report, these research findings do not necessarily mean that expectations about the career impact of having children cause people to decide whether to have children, however, this may be possible for some Canadians. Although the fact that those who do not wish to become parents are twice as likely to say they expect that having children would have a negative career impact suggests that the issue itself is recognized as being relevant, or as a legitimate consideration.

For further insights and to download the full report, click here.