Gulf parents want more time with their children: Poll

The average working parent in the Gulf region spends about three and half hours a day with their family, according to a new study. Pollsters quizzed 309 working mums and dads from 13 companies across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Many said they wanted to spend even more time with their families and believed that extra quality time would bring the family closer together, allow them time to set good examples for the children, solve family disputes and pass on family values. It would also, they said, help families keep cultural values alive and alleviate emotional stress among family members.

The ‘Family Time’ study was compiled for cookie firm OREO as part of its campaign to encourage parents to spend more time with their children. A parallel study conducted in Europe showed that parents there spend less time with their children - just over two hours a day. While all of the Gulf parents wanted more time at home, only 28 per cent of the Europeans wanted the same, the survey revealed.