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„The German fear of having children“
Ines Imdahl
On the initiative of Milupa, the manufacturer of baby and toddler food, rheingold conducted a current study on the subject of children and having children in Germany. The results show that the current ideal of mothers drives the compulsion to perfection to the extreme and the women to despair: The desire for the greatest possible serenity hides great uncertainties and fears in everyday life. Ines Imdahl and Nicole Hanisch are the project managers of the study. Read more!
Two key questions occupied Milupa and rheingold: Why do German couples have so few children? And how can you stand up for children and mothers/fathers in Germany? The study reveals that numerous mothers are far removed from the social ideal of the relaxed mother. Serenity remains an unfulfilled wish for women. Many German mothers are insecure, often feel overwhelmed and see themselves exposed to permanent pressure to be perfect.
Although 78 percent of the women surveyed put serenity forward as a great vision when it comes to having and having children, only 44 percent feel really relaxed when it comes to children. Deep inside them, elementary fears of loss and deep dissatisfaction are simmering. They see themselves exposed to the pressure of always having to “function” as a mother and not being allowed to show their inner conflict between being a loving mother and an attractive or successful woman. Having children is no longer a matter of course in Germany.
The study was presented together with Milupa in Berlin.
The project management at rheingold was carried out by Ines Imdahl and Nicole Hanisch; on the Milupa side by Stefan Stohl and Martina Karl.
Click here for the press release and short version of the study
