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Many mothers give up their financial independence to care for their child. According to the Dutch Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, men do not earn less when they have their first child. But women lose about half their income, on average. ABN AMRO thinks there should be more balance.
Both parents have something to gain from more balance
Soon after they have their first child, many men still choose to swiftly return to work. Some reasons include their perception that ‘that’s the way things are supposed to be’, or because they fear that their employer will react negatively to their absence. But results from a recent WOMEN Inc. study indicate that 60% of men would prefer to spend more time with their families. First, because it’s nice to spend time with the new little one, but also because they want to help share the responsibilities at home. Otherwise, the woman will do the work for two people, and she will no longer enjoy financial independence. It’s time for modern parenting, in which there’s a fair division of work, child care and leisure.
Building towards modern parenting
ABN AMRO, head sponsor of Dutch Design Week, went in search of ways to promote financial independence. They submitted an assignment to the What If Lab designer platform. Three design studios got to work, and studio (ink). came up with the most compelling solution: the Bouw Box. It is a parental leave gift that the bank can offer new parents. The gift is intended to get the conversation started and urge new fathers to take their partner leave. You’ll see a magnified version of the Bouw Box at the ABN AMRO Equal Opportunities Pavilion.
The Bouw Box offers a new kind of ritual, intended to help new parents make conscious choices about time spent at home and at work. And to eliminate some of the stereotypes about parenthood. How do you build a life together, in which work, child, rest and health remain in balance? With building blocks, according to studio (ink). Work is one block, but family and free time are equally important. You can build a beautiful life, block by block. The box also contains a ‘blueprint’ for initiating a good conversation with your employer, and also with your partner.
What does the Bouw Box offer you?
A fair division of responsibilities is good for both parents: you’ll have more time for each other, for your child and for yourself. You’ll enjoy more independence, and also share the responsibilities. Finding the right balance primarily depends on what you want. Some people choose to be at home a lot – and take parental leave from his or her work. The other partner can fill in in other areas. One parent may love to cook, so the other parent could choose to do the laundry.
An employer also plays an important role, both in initiating the conversation and in helping employees make conscious decisions. ABN AMRO is setting a great example here, by supplementing partner leave to 100% of the person’s salary. The Bouw Box’s primary message: you build the best life together.
Curious how studio (ink). and ABN AMRO developed the Bouw Box? Check out the video! You’ll also see the Bouw Box in real life at the ABN AMRO Equal Opportunities Pavilion at Dutch Design Week 2021.
