Reveal Marketing Research study: Communicating with children (55%) and managing stress (54%) are the main challenges faced by Romanians as parents
Reveal Market Resources, Study No. 156
The latest study conducted by Reveal Marketing Research aimed to uncover more details about the motivations, perceptions, and feelings of Romanians regarding the role of parent, as well as the challenges associated with raising children in modern society.
- 56% of Romanian parents say that the family dynamics improved with the appearance of children, while 28% think that it worsened.
- The most costly aspects of raising a child include education (72%), clothing and footwear (66%), nutrition (59%), and extracurricular activities (53%).
- June 1, 2024: For 74% of parents, Children’s Day represents an occasion to celebrate their children and the joy of parenthood, while for 19% it is an ordinary day.
56% of Romanian parents say that the family dynamics improved with the appearance of children, while 28% think that it worsened
According to the results of the most recent study conducted by Reveal Marketing Research, 65% of Romanians consider having two children to be the ideal situation, while 12% he’d rather have one child.
However, the data reveal that reality is moving away from the ideal, most Romanians who are also parents having only one child (56%). This trend is more pronounced in urban areas (61% vs. 49% in rural areas), while in rural areas, the percentage of parents with two children is significantly higher (38% vs. 32% in urban areas).
In addition, in the context of a society marked by modernity, changes and uncertainties, more and more young people are postponing the decision to become parents. Thus, 29% of young people aged 18-24 have children, the percentage increasing only up to 54% for those aged 25-34 years.
Most Romanian parents (56%) say that the family dynamics improved with the appearance of children, 28% think that it worsened, while for 16% it remained unchanged.
Among parents who say that family dynamics worsened after the appearance of children (28%), we note that difficulties are felt more by women (35% compared to 17% in the case of men), young parents aged 25-34 (39%) and those with young children aged 0-6 (37%).
The most expensive aspects in raising a child include education (72%), clothing and footwear (66%), nutrition (59%) and extracurricular activities (53%)
When deciding whether to have children or not, Romanians are influenced mainly by motivations such as personal desire to have children (46%), financial stability (27%), health condition (24%) or career and personal development (17%).
Depending on gender, it is observed that the desire to have children or not is more pronounced in women (51% vs. 40% men), while financial stability is significantly more important for men (31% vs. 23% women). In addition, parents are motivated mainly by the personal desire to have children (64%), while for those without children, issues such as financial stability (34%) or career and personal development (27%) are more relevant.
As for the assessment of an average monthly cost for raising a child, opinions are varied. Thus, 36% of Romanians estimate an average of over 2000 RON, 33% an average between 1000 and 2000 RON, while 28% mentions a cost between 500 and 1000 RON.
Depending on demographic characteristics, women (41% vs. 31% men) and urban residents (39% vs. 32% rural areas) consider to a greater extent that a monthly income of over 2000 RON is required to raise a child.
The most expensive aspects in raising a child include education (72%), clothing and footwear (66%), nutrition (59%) and extracurricular activities (53%). Those with high incomes, over 8000 RON, mention in a significantly higher proportion extracurricular activities as the most expensive in raising a child (63% vs. 53% total sample).
1 June 2024: For 74% of parents, Children’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate children and the joy of being a parent, while for 19% it is an ordinary day
Turning our attention to the way Romanians plan to celebrate Children’s Day this year, 45% say they will spend their time in the family, 20% plan to buy gifts for children, and 19% are considering attending public events dedicated to children.
Regarding the attitudes and perceptions of parents, 74% consider Children’s Day as a moment of celebration of children and joy as parents, while for 19% it’s just an ordinary day, and for 7% it’s an opportunity to reflect on parenting responsibilities.
Communicating with children (55%) and managing stress (54%) are the main challenges faced by Romanians as parents
The main emotional challenges faced by Romanians in the role of parents are related to communication and understanding with children (55%), managing stress and fatigue (54%), maintaining a balance between personal and professional life (40%), as well as managing the relationship with life partner (35%).
At a closer look we can see that women are more likely to experience difficulties managing stress and fatigue (60% versus 43% men). Stress and fatigue are felt more intensely in parents who have young children between 0-6 years (65%), but also in urban areas (60% vs. 44% rural environment).
As for the prevailing feelings associated with parenthood, positive ones predominate, such as happiness (65%), pride (52%), and gratitude (39%). However, there are also negative feelings, such as worry (38%) or stress (19%), both of which are more pronounced among parents in urban areas (worry: 41% vs. 32% rural and stress: 21% vs. 16% rural).
Regarding the ways in which parents show their love and gratitude to their children, 70% prefer to use words of encouragement and affection, 60% dedicate their time to spending quality moments together, 57% provide emotional and educational support, while 34% express their love through gifts and surprises.
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About Reveal Marketing Research
Reveal Marketing Research is a full-service market research company specializing in marketing research, sociological studies, customer insight, business strategy, market development. With expertise in over 20 industries, Reveal Marketing Research believes that market research is the basis for good decisions and brand positioning. The qualitative and quantitative solutions have been helping companies in Romania and other European countries for 15 years.
Reveal Market Resources, study no. 156: Reveal Market Resources is a data hub of free studies offered to audiences, with the aim of supporting the marketing and communication market in Romania.
Methodology: The Reveal Marketing Research study was conducted online during 20.05 -24.05.2024, on a representative sample of individuals aged 18 and above, internet users, from urban and rural areas. The sample size was 1005 respondents, with a maximum sampling error of +/-3.1% at a 95% confidence level.