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It’s official! Being a grandparent is tougher than being a pollie: Study

Aug 13, 2018

Almost three quarters of Aussies think being a parent or grandparent is tough. (Picture posed by model). Source: Getty.

There’s no denying that being a grandparent is one of the most rewarding jobs in life, with people treasuring the precious time they get to spend with their loving grandkids.

However it also comes with its fair share of problems and now a new study has claimed that taking care of the grandkids is actually way tougher than being an Aussie politician.

According to the Mercury Tough Report, which quizzed 1,000 Australians about a range of professions, being a parent or grandparent is the fifth toughest job you can do, with 69 per cent of people agreeing it’s a difficult task.

However an underwhelming 38 per cent of people showed sympathy for our top pollies, believing they have it hard in Canberra.

Not surprisingly the jobs people believed to be the toughest were police officers, emergency service workers and paramedics, with an overwhelming majority (93 per cent) of people defining the roles as tough. Australian soldiers came in second with 90 per cent, while 88 per cent of people believed doctors, nurses and personal carers fulfil a difficult role.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-9zlLkVW54

Farmers were also recognised for the difficult job they do, tied in fifth place with parents and grandparents, followed by mine workers, tradies, and pilots. However elected politicians were regarded as having a far easier day job, as they came in joint 10th place alongside customer service staff, followed by professional sports stars such as soccer players and Olympic athletes with 37 per cent.

Surprisingly though, people seem to consider AFL and Rugby League players to be less hardy than they used to, as just over a quarter of people agreed that their job’s a tough one.

The study found that the definition of ‘tough’ has also shifted, with traits such as stamina, mental agility and the ability to remain calm under pressure more likely to be associated with being hardworking, rather than physical traits. Perhaps surprisingly it was Baby Boomers who reported that their mindset had changed, whereas millennials reported being more likely to associate toughness with physical attributes.

Mim Orlando, Brand Director, Cider & Spirits, Carlton & United Breweries said: “The results of the Mercury Cider Tough Report has made it clear that Australians’ views on what defines tough have shifted. The AFL and NRL players have always been exceptionally tough, but the fans seem to have a greater appreciation for tough acts of all kinds, not just physical. This is being reflected in society too; tough comes in all shapes and sizes, and we’re proud to be able to share these findings with Australia.”