The survey was conducted in March among 2 242 working parents in the United States (US) with a margin of error of roughly 3.0%.

The clearest finding is the gap between mothers and fathers.

Among full-time working parents, 62.0% of mothers say it is difficult to balance work and family responsibilities, compared with 47.0% of fathers.

The same pattern appears when work gets in the way of family life. Among mothers, 65.0% say they feel extremely or very upset when work causes them to miss their children’s activities. Among fathers, the figure is 45.0%.

Mothers are also more likely to say they do not have enough personal time. Sixty-five percent say they do not have enough time for exercise, compared with 52.0% of fathers. Sixty-seven percent of mothers say they do not have enough time to relax, compared with 53.0% of fathers.

Pew’s broader report also relied on US Census Bureau Current Population Survey data to measure parents in the labour force.

The numbers show a simple pressure point in modern family life. Working parents are stretched across the board, and working mothers are more likely to feel that pressure in their jobs, homes, and personal lives.