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Stay-At-Home Mothers vs. Mothers Who Return to Work

"Nearly three-quarters of all mothers are in the labor force" (Working, 2002).

Pro's:

Infants who receive enough attention and affection from a loving adult right from the start are most likely to succeed socially and emotionally (Holcomb).

Children who are in day care starting from one month on will have a better language and cognitive ability that children at home (Peters).

Children with working mothers tent to have a higher reading score that children of mothers who stay-at-home (Peters).

Con's:

It is risky for infants to be away from their moms for more than twenty hours per week (Holcomb).

Psychologists claim babies that are separated from their mothers might turn out to be troubled later in life, more likely to act out in school, and have poor relationships as adults (Holcomb).

Without a bound infants are likely to grow up to be troubled and neurotic, and they may even suffer serious character disorders as well as become depressed (Holcomb).

Children of stay-at-home moms become more aggressive when they enter kindergarten because mothers who are at home may be less aggressive than those who work (Redbook).

Labor Force Participation Rates among Mothers (Working, 2002).

Age of Youngest Child	1975	2000
Under 18	47.5%	72.9%
Ages 6-17	54.9%	79.0%
Ages 3-5	45.0%	71.5%
Under 3	34.3%	61.0%

Advantages vs. Disadvantages of Working verses Full Time Mothers (Genevie, 1987)

• Being able to watch one's child grow provides enormous gratification for a mother
• Both the quantity and quality of time spent with children are better when mom is at home
• Children's values and morals can be guided and the children can be disciplined more consistently
• Children feel more secure when mom does not work

Advantage for Working Mothers (Genevie, 1987)

• The money working mothers earn is advantageous to both their children and their families
• Children who have working mothers are more likely to be independent and mature than children with full-time mothers
• Working is better for a woman's personal growth
• There is a feeling of satisfaction; it makes them happier as people, and therefore, better mothers
• They feel they have to work for their own psychological well-being

Conflicts for Working Mothers (Genevie, 1987)

• Sadness of wanting to be with their children and knowing they can't
• The hurt of having to leave a crying child
• Missing out on an important event in the child's life
• Sharing the role of motherhood with a stranger
• Pain of having someone else seeing the joy of their child's "firsts"
• Anxiety and worry of if their children are adequately cared for
• Neglecting the child's emotional needs

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Advantages and Disadvantages for Stay-at-Home Moms

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