Split-Shift Parenting 'Hurts Families'

Why do families ‘split-shift’ parent?

There are many reasons why couples choose ‘split-shift’ parenting; many families are unable to survive on one income, and ‘split-shift’ parenting can save money on child care. Having one parent at home is considered a better alternative than someone else having influence over the children. The difficulty is making sure that if you are in a situation where ‘split-shift’ parenting is the only option that you make sure you have time together as ‘family’.

Joann Lublin from The Wall Street Journal wrote “Split-shift parenting is one of the dark sides of America 's round-the-clock economy. In a world of 24-hour productivity, working parents who raise children by day and earn a living by night can find more job choices than ever. It's one way to reduce the costs of child care. But as experienced split-shift couples can attest, the lifestyle is expensive in other ways”. We know that the ‘split-shift’ culture extends far further than America’s borders, impacting many other continents.

The cost 

• Night shift workers often experience sleep deprivation.
• Stress.
• Isolation.
• Gastro and intestinal problems are caused by irregular mealtimes.
• Divorce and separation rates are higher.
• Mothers married more than five years and working nights were three times more likely to separate or divorce. [2]  
• Children experience single parenting rather than parenting as a couple.

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