Exploring Differing Attitudes Towards Motherhood Among Women Across Southeast Asia

At least 5 in 10 women (excluding those who don’t intend to become mothers) want to become mothers between the ages of 26 to 30.

Before Mother’s Day, Milieu Insight released the results of its ‘Opinions of Motherhood’ study, which explores what women across 4 Southeast Asian countries think about the possibility of motherhood, and some of the considerations they have before deciding to enter a new phase of life. The study was conducted in April 2022 with N=500 women without children each in Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Indonesian Women Are Most Receptive Towards Motherhood

73% of Indonesian women foresee themselves to have at least 1 child in the future, likewise for 50% of Filipino
Meanwhile, much fewer women from Singapore and Thailand are certain about having kids, with only 34% and 29% respectively foreseeing themselves to become parents in the future
More are uncertain about it, indicating ‘Maybe’ (39% and 43% respectively in Singapore and Thailand)

attitudes towards motherhood

26-30 Years Old Ideal Age to Become Mothers, 2 Is the Ideal Number of Children

At least 5 in 10 women (excluding those who don’t intend to become mothers) want to become mothers between the ages of 26 to 30; slightly more in Indonesia (23% compared to 11% regional average) want to become mothers between 21-25 years old

Exploring Differing Attitudes Towards Motherhood Among Women Across Southeast Asia

Nearly 6 in 10 want up to 2 children; skew towards Indonesian and Filipino women who want 3 or more children

Top reasons for wanting children:

It is meaningful to raise a child (69%)
To experience motherhood (67%)
I think that a family is only complete with kids (57%)
I find children cute or fun to be with (56%)
To have someone to accompany/ take care of me when I’m old (56%)

Exploring Differing Attitudes Towards Motherhood Among Women Across Southeast Asia

Furthering Support for Women to Understand Motherhood

Entering motherhood requires one to be prepared – and to prepare – for many factors; as “natural” as childbirth is, in reality, parents have to be well-informed about parenthood to ensure that children can grow up in the right environment

Key considerations for motherhood:

Childcare expenses (64%)
My health or my partner’s health (63%)
My job security (or my partner’s) (62%)

attitudes towards motherhood

Mental health care before and after childbirth emerged as top area that women want to learn about (66%) (eg. postnatal depression, which has been talked about more commonly recently), followed by ‘infant/childhood development’ (65%) and ‘finance management’ (65%)

attitudes towards motherhood

Methodology

Based on a Milieu Insight survey with N=500 women without children each in Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines, conducted in April 2022.

About Milieu Insight

Milieu Insight is a consumer data and analytics company that connects businesses directly with their target audience. Milieu’s platform offers businesses a wide range of tools for accessing, analyzing, and visualizing high-value and timely consumer opinion data to help power better decision-making and strategy. For more information about Milieu Insight visit: www.mili.eu