A recent survey indicates a significant number of parents experience conflict between professional obligations and supporting their children’s education. The research, conducted in June 2025 by YouGov amongst 1,053 parents aged 40 to 55 and reported by Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, reveals that nearly half (47 percent) perceive mothers as primarily responsible for school-related matters, compared to just eight percent who assign that responsibility to fathers.
The survey highlights a pronounced gender difference in perceived responsibility, with 67 percent of mothers feeling personally accountable for their children’s education. Conversely, a majority of fathers (52 percent) believe both parents share equal responsibility in this area.
A substantial 58 percent of women surveyed report feeling compelled to choose between their careers and their children’s schooling, with ten percent frequently experiencing this tension. Among men in the same situation, only three percent share the same sentiment. The majority of parents (82 percent) regularly – from several times a week to daily – dedicate thought to their children’s education, with mothers being more likely to do so daily or multiple times daily (53 percent) compared to fathers (41 percent).
Approximately 39 percent of respondents utilize external academic support, such as tutoring. Of those, 42 percent report feeling relieved by this assistance. The organization commissioning the study, Studienkreis, suggests this may be attributable to a societal expectation that a child’s academic performance is largely considered the mother’s responsibility.