Effects of Working Mothers on the Family Unit - Essay Example

Effects of Working Mothers on the Family Unit The family structure can be accurately described as a social unit designed primarily to nurture the needs of children. When the mother, whose historic role in society is the nurturer within the family unit, enters the workforce, the dynamics within that structure changes. Some would argue for the worse though others would disagree. The days when Mrs. Cleaver represented the norm has been gone for almost as long as that television show. Since that time, American families have increasingly needed two incomes to survive. Initiated by economic necessity and aided by the feminist movement, the number of women in the workforce has escalated since the 1970’s, a social phenomenon that has redefined the roles of both parents. Increasingly, mothers are contributing more to the family finances while fathers are spending more of their time caring for the kids. Though some decry this inevitable and necessary circumstance because they fear the disintegration of the traditional family unit is detrimental for children, the evidence shows that the opposite is true. For the vast majority of mothers, going to work every day while leaving their children with surrogate moms is clearly not a matter of choice as some have suggested. Of the women who work in two-parent homes, more than 80 percent have spouses who receive $30,000 per year or less. A mother’s choice in many cases is to either allow their children to live in abject poverty or to go to work. Though among the minority, some working mothers have chosen to continue their career pursuits following childbirth but in either case, the workplace is seldom conducive to the family concerns of mothers, or fathers for that matter. Seldom do employers allow a mother to take a year or two off to care for small children without sacrificing position or employment status and are generally upset when mom is often called away to attend matters concerning a child. The choices are hard for mothers. The unsympathetic attitudes towards working mothers among some factions of the public and most employers are not constructive nor aligned with reality (“Working Mothers”, 1999). Today, more than a quarter of all American kids reside in homes containing one parent, usually the mother, who must work to support the family. Some believe that the label ‘good mother’ implies one that dutifully fills her societal role by remaining home with the children. This belief is based solely on preconceived and outdated stereotypes and not on prevalent scientific data which indicates that children whose mothers work are unharmed by this common state of affairs. Other factors such as stress levels within the family affect a child’s psychological, emotional and social development more so than whether or not the mother is at home during the day. It seems to be a non-factor development-wise. “A child who is emotionally well adjusted, well loved, and well cared for will thrive regardless of whether the mother works outside the home” (“Working Mothers”, 1999). In fact, mothers who are successful at managing the responsibilities of both work and home provide an outstanding role model that children respect, admire and emulate. Children raised in homes where the mother works outside the home are often more responsible, independent and goal-oriented as adults. In these families, every member must play an active position in daily activities of the household. The kids are much more inclined, by necessity, to act more responsibly with regards to household chores and caring for siblings. Father is forced to be more involved as well which adds to the overall experience of the cohesive family unit. Dad and the kids have a closer relationship when mom is employed. “Actively involved fathers might spend some time each day playing with their children or volunteering to coach a team. They might help their kids with homework or do yard work together or read to them every day. Children who grow up with an actively involved father do better than children who do not have an actively involved father” (Anderson, 2006). The working mother feels more valued and garners more support by her family as well. In families where the woman desires a life outside the home but is compelled by guilt or coercion to stay at home instead, stresses within the family often occurs. Resentments arise with concern to money, the lack of it or how it is spent and who decides; the breadwinner or the trapped-at-home mom. In homes where both parents work and the mother does not feel enslaved by her husband, children or social expectations, the children could likely live in a less stressful home situation. This advantageous developmental environment coupled with a greater sense of responsibility gained by necessity suggests that children may ultimately profit when two parents are present in the household and both work (“Working Mothers”, 1999). Men in this situation are usually more supportive of the working mother on an emotional level than he may have otherwise been which the children notice and perpetuate as adults. “The role of fathers in the American family may have changed over the centuries, but the importance of that role has not” (Anderson, 2006). When examining lower-class families specifically, it was found that working mothers in this group generally felt more fulfilled and self-satisfied than non-working mothers, feelings which translate to a more positive outlook on life thus a happier, healthier home environment for the children. Middle-class working mothers expressed about the same level of fulfillment and self-satisfaction as did middle-class stay-at-home moms. “While the quality and stability of non-maternal care for infants and young children is important, the mother’s employment itself does not seem to have the negative effects often proclaimed” (Hoffman, 1998). Children of working mothers in single parent homes are more focused and goal-oriented and fathers are more involved with the children in two-parent homes. Though there are advantages and disadvantages to homes where the mother works, the evolution of gender roles over the past 30 years has generally created a more fulfilling and happier life for women, men and their children. Daughters of working mothers are more committed to and enjoy greater academic and career successes and are more likely to choose nontraditional occupations. Sons of working mothers are less inclined to formulate traditional outlooks regarding gender-roles. “In our study, the children of employed mothers obtained higher scores on the three achievement tests, for language, reading, and math, across gender, socioeconomic status, and marital status, middle-class boys included. It was our most robust findings for the child outcome differences” (Hoffman, 1998). The ‘traditional’ family included the man as sole breadwinner, the woman as caregiver and all the children were the biological product of that man and woman. This is not the norm anymore. Today, the man takes an active part in the raising of the children and the household duties while the woman has a life outside the home. Both benefit from this situation but it’s the children who may benefit the most. In the Cleaver household today, Ward would be helping June in the kitchen while both talked about their day at work and their boys may have been as well-adjusted as they appeared to be in the show. References Anderson, Linda. (February 8, 2006). “Father Plays Critical Family Role, Even if He Doesn’t Always Know Best.” AG News. Available July 12, 2007 from Hoffman, Lois Wladis. (1998). “The Effects of the Mother’s Employment on the Family and the Child.” Parenthood. Available July 12 , 2007 from “Working Mothers.” (1999). Caring for Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. Elk Grove, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics, Bantam, 1999. Read More