Mothers seek full-time employment in financial need
March 19, 2013
The roles of spouses are converging when it comes to employment. A Pew Research Report shows that mothers with kids under age 18 preferring to work full-time jumped from 20 percent in 2007 to 32 percent in 2012. Scholarships for mothers offer an opportunity for these women to take the first step toward such employment.
"Tough economic times may have ushered in a new mindset," said Kim Parker, co-author of the Pew Report.
According to The Associated Press, half the women who have trouble meeting financial needs would prefer to work full-time. Only 31 percent of those with no such difficulties would do so.
Marital status also contributes to mothers' drive into full-time employment. Unmarried mothers are more likely to want to work full-time, according to the Pew Report. The study shows that about half of unmarried women today want full-time employment, a sharp increase from the mere 26 percent who did in 2007. Still, mothers with younger children are less likely to be employed than those with older children, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
There is now an alignment between parents in their struggle to balance work and family time, according to the Associated Press article. Generally though, despite the conflict of leaving the home to work, many women have found that for the sake of finances, it is the best route to take.
