Long hours, lack of flexibility and last-minute scheduling driving parents, particularly mothers, from industry
The performing arts industry in the UK is “inhospitable to parents” and falling far behind other industries in supporting women who have children, according to research.
The report, titled “the Motherhood penalty”, criticises the industry for failing to consider how it might adapt to better accommodate parents, with the result that many, in particular women, drop out.
Its author, Jennifer Tuckett, a playwright, said: “Caring responsibilities were one of the major issues affecting women’s careers in the arts.
“We were shocked to find problems like schedules being sent out the night before and the impact this has on parents, and we would urge both arts organisations and policymakers to look at new models which support both women and men to achieve success in the workplace and at home.”
