Stretched parents forced to change lifestyles
12/06/2009
The current state of the economy is encouraging many parents in WA to spend more time at home, according to a new survey by SGIO*.
Two out of three parents (66 per cent) with kids living at home surveyed said they planned to spend more time at home over the next 12 months due to the economic downturn.
SGIO State Manager Colin Tierney said that it was clear that WA parents were looking closely at their lifestyle decisions.
“The research indicates that many parents in Perth are making hard choices about how and where they spend their time and money,” he said.
“The up-side is that working parents may begin to spend more time at home with their families and with people in their local neighbourhoods, which is bad news for burglars.”
The survey also reveals that 63 per cent of parents with kids at home are eating out less:
| What parents are spending more time doing at home |
% of parents doing more of this activity |
|---|---|
| cooking | 38% |
| hobbies/interests around the house | 35% |
| spending time in the backyard | 33% |
| gardening | 29% |
| exercising at or near home | 28% |
| entertaining guests | 28% |
| playing gaming consoles/PCs | 23% |
Mr Tierney said the survey formed part of new research by SGIO into trends and issues that are impacting on homes and local communities across the Perth metro area.
“As a major WA insurer, SGIO is committed to helping safeguard WA’s unique way of life through contributing to the development of safer, stronger communities,” he said.
“With people spending more time at home and in their local communities, hopefully this will help generate a greater sense of belonging and connectedness, which can deliver a range of community benefits including less crime, safer roads and lower carbon emissions."
“We believe the journey to the development of safer, stronger communities in Western Australia begins in our own homes and local neighbourhoods.”