Fiona Jennings, a senior employee with a high-street retailing chain, is 37 and does not have children, was one of the women who took part in the survey. “I made a conscious decision not to have children and that was the right decision for me. My career has always been as important as my home life. At 37, I knew that I would benefit hugely from taking a period of time away. My employers agreed to give me seven months off as an unpaid sabbatical. I leave for my round the world backpacking trip in three weeks.”