Working Parents: Family, Money and Time

In many households today, both the mother and the father are employed, which means that children often see far less of their parents than they used to. This is largely driven by financial pressures and shifting social attitudes, and it can weaken the parent-child bond and lead to behavioural difficulties in young people.

The primary reason for this trend is economic necessity. The cost of living has risen sharply in recent decades, and a single income is rarely enough to cover housing, education and everyday expenses. In a city like Moscow, for instance, mortgage repayments alone can swallow a large portion of one's salary, forcing both parents into full-time work simply to stay afloat; for most young families a dual income is no longer a choice. A second, less obvious reason is the changing role of women in society. Unlike previous generations, most women now pursue their own careers and see professional fulfilment as just as important as raising a family. My own mother, for example, would never have considered giving up her job in finance, and this attitude is now the norm rather than the exception.

The most serious consequence of this is a weakening of the parent-child relationship. When adults come home late and exhausted, they have little energy left for meaningful conversation, and children may grow up feeling emotionally distant from the very people who are supposed to guide them. Over time, it becomes extremely difficult to repair the gap. A further problem is the impact on children's behaviour and development. Left largely to their own devices or in the care of gadgets, some children lack the discipline and moral direction that regular parental involvement provides. It is no coincidence that many teachers report a rise in behavioural issues among pupils whose parents are rarely at home.

In conclusion, the fact that both parents now typically work stems from financial demands and evolving views on women's careers, and this can damage family relationships and hinder children's development. While employment is often unavoidable, families should try to strike a balance: where the job allows it, parents can ask for flexible working hours, and they should make a conscious effort to protect the limited time they do have with their children.