Maternal Labor Force Participation and Attitudes About Work-Family Balance

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