Overview
- Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census data released Tuesday found 52% of different‑sex couples with children under 18 had both parents working full time in 2025, up from 46% in 2015 and 31% in 1975.
- A March 2026 Pew survey of 2,242 working parents reports frequent overlap between paid work and caregiving, with 70% saying they handle parenting tasks while on the job and 59% saying they do work tasks while with their children.
- Even in households where both parents work full time, mothers bear more day‑to‑day parenting and housework: 52% say the mom does more parenting and 43% say she does more household chores.
- Parents want more paid leave, schedule flexibility and childcare but report limited access: about half of non‑self‑employed parents have paid parental or medical leave and only about 6–7% have onsite workplace childcare.
- Access to benefits and flexibility varies sharply by income and education, leaving lower‑income parents with less health coverage, paid time off and telework options, which raises risks of lost pay, job insecurity, and added strain on families.