Maternal Employment and Children’s Development

By Suzanna Smith, PhD, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida
Reviewed by Martie Gillen, PhD, Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida

Guilt. It’s what many mothers I know feel when they go back to work after having a baby. They worry: Will my baby be okay without me? Am I doing the best for him? Will she suffer because I’m working?

A recent study may bring some peace of mind. Using national data from the United States and the United Kingdom, researchers looked at how infants of women who had worked during their babies’ first year of life fared later on, once they were in school.

This study of children ages 4 to 16 found that cognitive and behavioral development were not impacted by either part time or full time employment, at least in Britain. In the US, mothers’ full time employment seemed to have a small negative effect on reading. However, other factors put children at a greater disadvantage and had a far greater impact.

In fact, this study concluded that mothers’ working during children’s first year of life didn’t seem to make much difference one way or the other. This was particularly true when mothers worked part time.

While there are no clear adverse effects of mothers’ employment, the pressures of combining work and family responsibilities can take a toll on parents’ physical and mental health. But in the US and Britain alike, it can be difficult to support a family on a single income. Policies that support working parents through leave time and flexible hours can reduce family stress.

(Image credit: Untitled by Isaac and Aaron Goldberg. CC license.)

References:

Cooksey, E., Joshi, H., & Verropoulou, G. (2009). Does mothers’ employment affect children’s development? Longitudinal and Life Course Studies, 1, 95-115.

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Posted: December 29, 2013


Category: Relationships & Family, Work & Life
Tags: Family Resource Management, Parenting


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