Good Mothers, Bad Mothers: Exploring the Relationship between Attitudes towards Nonmaternal Childcare and Mother's Labour Force Participation

Normative beliefs of motherhood include a number of culturally prescribed constructs that account for how mothers should think, feel, and behave, which impact on maternal labour force participation (LFP). This study investigates a central element of these normative beliefs, that is, attitudes toward...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of family studies 2005-04, Vol.11 (1), p.62-82
Main Authors: McDonald, Paula K, Bradley, Lisa M, Guthrie, Diane
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Child care
Motherhood
Nonmaternal Care
Part-time employment
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Summary:Normative beliefs of motherhood include a number of culturally prescribed constructs that account for how mothers should think, feel, and behave, which impact on maternal labour force participation (LFP). This study investigates a central element of these normative beliefs, that is, attitudes towards nonmaternal childcare and maternal LFP, using survey (N = 112) and interview (N = 24) data derived from a sample of mothers who were employees and ex-employees of an Australian University. Results show that while at-home women held negative views of all nonmaternal childcare, women working parttime believed nonmaternal care is acceptable if for a limited period of time and where the child is likely to derive developmental benefits. Women working full-time were more positive about nonmaternal care, although a substantial degree of guilt and ambivalence was expressed. The results inform the current understanding of normative beliefs of motherhood in Western societies and may contribute to the development of targeted policies that support families in their employment and care-giving responsibilities.
ISSN:1322-9400
1839-3543
DOI:10.2273/1322-9400.11.1.2662