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Study claims mother’s who decide to stay home to look after their family are hurting Australia’s economy.

Housewives are the country’s ‘greatest untapped potential’ according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) who claim there are ‘potentially large losses to the economy when women stay at home or work short part-time hours’, The Daily Telegraph reports.

Being paid for work was also found to be an important factor for a woman’s happiness, according to the employment study.

“One of the areas of greatest untapped potential in the Australian labour force is inactive and/or part-time working women, especially those with children,’’ it says. “There are potentially large losses to the economy when women stay at home or work short part-time hours.’’

But Parenthood executive director Jo Briskey says some women are unable to go into full-time employment as they can’t afford childcare.

But she added it’s important women have the choice.

‘Women need flexible work arrangements and a supportive workplace that helps them meet their responsibilities at work and home,’ she told the Daily Telegraph.

‘If they want to stay home it’s an incredibly important job looking after kids — not just for the family but to build society.’

The employment study found women were better educated than their male counterparts with over half of 25-34 year olds with a degree, while only 43 per cent of men have one.

Research also showed around half of single mothers were in paid work, while 45 per cent of mother’s in a relationship worked part-time jobs.

I have to admit this is pretty confusing to me.  I thought the best option for mum’s was some part time work. How is that not a positive thing?

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  • woman raise the future generation and should get some respect. make things better for them, not harder.

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  • How ridiculous – most mothers who work find that all they earn goes into child care – hardly a recipe for success in my book.

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  • *rolls eyes* I’m not sure how that is possible as it seems like no one can get any help from the government (centrelink) unless neither parent work or you are a single parent. The average mum in a family unit isn’t entitled to jack****. I know because having had to stop work 6 months ago to care for my unwell child and being unwell myself, I wasn’t entitled to anything, and could barely even afford the medical bills as all the specialists charge above Medicare rebates. And don’t get me started on the cost of childcare for twins!! Not possible. I have to privately pay babysitters as it is cheaper. The drain is not mothers and part time working mums no matter how much they try to twist it. I bet a lot was spent on that ‘study’ lol

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  • All the mums are in trouble again!

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  • Some people really talk rubbish out their… not a drain. But not a circular money waster either – mum’s work, to pay their nanny/daycare etc.

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  • You’re damned if you do, and your damned if you don’t.

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  • Can’t win either way, can we. Some Mums need to work, some Mums need and want to be at home. Every situation is different.

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  • Nonsense indeed !! As if we were created to work and build the economy ! And you really think working away all day and have your kids in child care is good for our families ?!

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  • I’m surprised that Mouths of Mums would publish such nonsense. Mums should work so they can then pay for someone else to raise their kids? What is best for the economy is not necessarily best for our kids.

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  • I don’t agree with it at all!

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  • I feel this study is a load of bollocks.

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  • I cannot understand why it is a bad thing for women to work part time or stay at home if that is what they chose. I work part time, it’s a huge juggling act especially since I have 4 primary school aged children.

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  • For a start, some companies only advertise part time jobs. At least these Mums who do part-time work are paying tax on their wages. How can be a drain on the economy when that is all the hours the Mums are offered?
    Besides if you have to put your children in childcare or OSHC that may be costing them nearly as much as they earn. I know of one case where a Mum was making a net income of $1.50 an hour after paying for care for her children……and they wonder why some MUms will only take part time work even if they are offered full time. There are businesses which only employ part time men or women – never full time. They can’t afford the extra costs involved in Workcover, other Govt. taxes/levies nd super. contributions.

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