Extra income comes with a sting

Article Category: Demographics

By Paul Tatnell, NEWS.com.au, 8 September 2009

THE modern-day family is turning NETTEL - Not Enough Timw To Enjoy Life, a social researcher says.

Census statistics show families with two full-time working parents and two dependent children under the age of 24 feel that they need more than $110,000 a year to survive, and they are willing to sacrifice family time, holidays and relaxation to achieve their goals.

"Nettel" families increased by 39 per cent between the 2001 and 2006 censuses, census data shows.

According to social researcher Bernard Salt, the new type of family now requires two full-time breadwinners to provide what they consider to be life’s basics.

The "Nettel" family is replacing the "traditional nuclear family" where there was just one breadwinner, leaving families with enough money but have problems managing the commitments of a demanding job and an even more demanding family life.

“Two full-time incomes are now required to cover the cost of everything from the mortgage and car repayments, ballet lessons, occasional meals out, orthodontist bills, multiple mobile phone bills as well as many other everyday items," Mr Salt said.

"Stressed out Nettel parents spend their evenings forever scheduling, organising and diarising about how to execute the next day’s business commitments amid their children’s pick-ups and drop-offs."

But not that parents are complaining - Mr Salt said many "revel" in over organising their lives as it makes them feel superior. “By some bizarre twist of logic, many Nettels revel in the scheduling frenzy," he said.

"In a materialistic go-getter world, a couple’s ability to juggle and to control life’s commercial and familial demands - when other lesser beings cannot- merely confirms their superior ‘alpha’ status.

"In other words, ‘we’re doing well, managing it all, making (and spending money) and you’re not'." Figures show Canberra suburb Curtin is the worse when it comes to "Nettel" families. The Top 10 "Nettel" areas:

• Curtin, ACT
• Forrest, ACT
• Paddington, NSW
• Albert Park, VIC
• Balmoral, QLD
• Burnside, NSW
• Karratha, WA
• Hobart, TAS
• Bakewell, NT