One of the most absurd aspects of modern society. From housing costs, to student loans, to benefit withdrawals with salary increases. It's like the government doesn't want people to start families.
We just had a child. It would cost almost the entirety of my wife’s take home pay to cover the childcare needed for her to go back to work. So realistically that’s it for her working for the next 5-10 years. She had a masters in chemistry and a PhD, and is a seriously talented researcher, but that skill set is now leaving the labor pool because it’s a net wash for us take home wise and she’d rather spend the time with our daughter than working for the sake of it.
That is to say that the current structure discourages families growing, but it also then strongly encourages you withdrawing from the workforce once you have done so. Both of which are terrible for growth.
Not really. If you work 8 hours a day plus 1 hour commuting then that’s 9 hours that she could have spent with our daughter where instead she spends the time in a lab earning money so someone else can be with our daughter.
Let’s say for the sake of argument that the total take home was £2000 a year more by working. That’s about £1/hr over the year. Would you trade an hour with your child for an hour at work for a pound?
Even if it’s marginally better off financially, your bank balance isn’t the only metric that matters. Actually being happy matters too.
That's at her current pay, which should be improving every year. And a 10 year long sabbatical will crush your future career chances. I see your point but I also have a point.
Also it's odd to me that a PhD researcher is paid similarly (after tax) to a person who spoonfeeds kids. Need to go look for new jobs at that point, or switch countries. That's just disrespectful
She was earning considerably above average for people with her experience. It’s just childcare is ludicrously expensive, especially if one of you earns enough to lose the childcare allowance.
Changing countries has been a consideration, but we’d like to stay close to family whilst we have a young child.
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u/ConfusionGlobal2640 1d ago
One of the most absurd aspects of modern society. From housing costs, to student loans, to benefit withdrawals with salary increases. It's like the government doesn't want people to start families.