With the increase in women's participation in the labor force there has been an increase in the study of effects of maternal employment on children. Studies have generally been done based on comparisons between children whose mothers work and those who do not. These comparative studies make it difficult to gain any insight on causal processes. However, most social scientist do agree that the effects of maternal employment do make a significant mark on children.
They also emphasize that the effects are complex and are influenced by other factors, such as social class, gender,and others. The main variables are:
The Mother's attitudes on employment
The way a mother feels about working has a profound effect on the child. For example, the attitudes of a mother working because of the need for a second income and that of a mother working for self-fulfillment can be very different. Other attitudes are "job satisfaction, level of stress, maternal confidence, perceptions of the influence of her employment [on] her child's development, irritability, seperation anxiety, investment in parenthood and the ability to coordinate family and work " (Mortimer). A mother who experiences job satisfaction from her work will be in a more positive state of mind to care for her little ones at home.
The family environment
This variable includes the attitude of the father on the mother's employment, the degree of stimulation at home, the interaction between the child and the parents and the existence of siblings.
The child's psychological and behavioral characteristics
These include indicators of infant mother attachment, ego resiliency, temperament, cognitive functioning, school attitudes, academic achievement, social competence, sexrole attitudes, and behavioral adjustment.