1. Should a PhD student strategically have a child to extend their PhD?
The dilemma:
Should a PhD student strategically have a child to extend their PhD?

2. Background Info
Can take parental leave: equal time added at the end
For up to 390 days (195 days/parent) can get paid 90% of wage – 80% from government, 10% from UU
In addition, if on leave for at least 4 months, get up to 3 months additional extension (at least within Science and Technology)

3. All reasonable alternative actions to solve the problem
Autonomy
Matrix
Extended research time/pay
Duty to department
Duty to team/supervisor
Stress for PhD
Stress for child
Family
All reasonable alternative actions to solve the problem
Have children before PhD
Possibilities: Have maximum flexible time during PhD studies.
Risks: less social benefits
Possibilities: minimal impact unless writing master thesis
Risks:
Possibilities: (maybe) no longer an infant during PhD.
Risks: high stress (eg: study and writing master thesis)
Possibilities: have a young parent
Risks: less attention from one parent, stressed parent.
Possibilities: Get family support from the grandparents
Risks: low income
Have children during PhD
Possibilities: extend PhD, extra experiments, research results and papers.
Risks: economical changes, longer commitment time
Possibilities: it makes the department looks good.
Risks: less turnover, less money available
Possibilities: more competitive, extra time for research
Risks: delayed experiments
Possibilities: balance the time between child and research responsibilities
Risks: get distracted from the research
Possibilities: more motivation, flexible time, more support from the government
Risks: distracted and stressed
Possibilities: get more help from spouse, have longer potential income
Risks: stressed and distracted parents, difficult to move
Wait until post-doc (Sweden)
Possibilities More pay,
less stress and more care to the child
Risk: Uncertain financial situation.
Same benefits from the department as from the PhD.
Experiments and duties will remain the same as when in PhD.
Less stress about graduation and thesis work.
less man power in Departmental duties such as teaching and community service.
Longer stay in for the person in the project. Which means more work and more publications and better data analysis.
Experiments and work will be halted.
Takes a while for colleagues and collaborators to get-back on track.
No stress for PhD.
Less than if they had child in their PhD
High stress if parents focus more on their work than on child care.
More financial stability and more support to family.
Distraction from family due to research work and field work.
Do not have children to extend PhD
Possibilities: Finish PhD on time, reach max career development earlier in age. Focus is not on child/ childcare.
Risks: Less time in financial stability. Will be an older parent. Will unlikely be as flexible in working hours in a permanent job.
Will be an older parent.
Possibilities: Experiments/ duty responsibilities will remain uninterrupted Freer to organise events/ be social
Risks: Lack of relationship development may affect working moral.
Possibilities: Experiments/ duty responsibilities will remain uninterrupted. Easier to organise experiments/ last minute issues. Competitive time advantage in topic.
Risks: Will be less understanding to colleagues with children.
Possibilities: Free to concentrate on work or hobby or travel.
Risks: Impatience to finish PhD before having a child could be depressing.
Possibilities: If parent waits for better job, may have higher financial provision.
Risks: Less flexibility for parent to spend time with child after phd.
Possibilities: Less Financial/ time impact
Risks: Financial impact: no social support. Will be older carers.
Have children but delay the parental leave
More pay,
Uncertain financial situation.