Employment choices for mothers of pre school children: a psychological perspective

Since the 1970s the rate of change in the pattern of womens working lives has started to increase and this is particularly true of women with pre-school children. Approximately fifty percent of women with children under five now work. To date, research into womens participation in the labour force has tended to document trends and predict future changes. It has not provided information about the reasons why some women return to employment after childbirth and others dont, or how much choice women really feel they have in making such a decision. The current research project involves a longitudinal questionnaire study of over 300 women who are about to have their first child. The aim of the research is to examine the psychological processes and demographic variables behind womens decisions about work and childcare patterns. The research will explore changes in attitudes, beliefs, norms and identity as a function of becoming a mother and beginning a new pattern of work and/or childcare. The impact of employment/childcare choices on family relationships and psychological well being will also be examine