Maternal Labor Force Participation and Attitudes About Work-Family Balance
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom B/C/D
Start Date
21-5-2015
End Date
21-5-2015
Keywords
Labor Force, Maternal
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether maternal labor force participation in childhood impacts later attitudes about how families should balance work and family responsibilities. Participants completed an anonymous online survey, n=177. Results showed that some attitudes differed depending on maternal labor force participation. Children of mothers who were employed full time were more likely to endorse statements in support of stay-at-home fathers and mothers’ participation in the workforce. Similarly, children of working mothers also endorsed that mothers should prioritize their participation in the labor force to the same degree that fathers do. Those whose mothers stayed home were more likely to agree to a statement in support of mothers taking as much time off work as they feel necessary. Findings suggest that maternal labor force participation may shape their child’s later views towards how men and women should divide work and family responsibilities.
Recommended Citation
Wold, Brittany, "Maternal Labor Force Participation and Attitudes About Work-Family Balance" (2015). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 133.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2015/posters/133
Poster Number
42
Department/Program
Family and Consumer Sciences
Additional Mentoring Department
Family and Consumer Sciences
Maternal Labor Force Participation and Attitudes About Work-Family Balance
SURC Ballroom B/C/D
The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether maternal labor force participation in childhood impacts later attitudes about how families should balance work and family responsibilities. Participants completed an anonymous online survey, n=177. Results showed that some attitudes differed depending on maternal labor force participation. Children of mothers who were employed full time were more likely to endorse statements in support of stay-at-home fathers and mothers’ participation in the workforce. Similarly, children of working mothers also endorsed that mothers should prioritize their participation in the labor force to the same degree that fathers do. Those whose mothers stayed home were more likely to agree to a statement in support of mothers taking as much time off work as they feel necessary. Findings suggest that maternal labor force participation may shape their child’s later views towards how men and women should divide work and family responsibilities.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Sarah Feeney