According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics today more than 59% of women are either employed or are currently searching for employment (Parker, 2009). Moreover, the proportion of married-mothers, who are employed, has significantly increased since the mid-1980s. Although most women do not want to return to the traditional division of family roles and believe that both parents should contribute to the family budget, the argument about the employment of women, and mothers in particular, remains quite controversial (Cusworth, 2009).
The biggest advantage of both parents working is surely an increase in the household income. This fact not only raises consumption and savings, thus contributing to the development of national economy, but also improves the chances for children to get a better education, medical care and lifestyle. However, no benefit comes without a cost. Working mothers cannot dedicate as much time to their children as those, who stay at home. The fatigue from the need to balance work and childcare decreases life satisfaction and may lead to depression and unhappiness.
Although returning to the traditional role division is neither possible nor desirable in the modern world, it is important to provide a certain level of security for the working mothers. Firstly, governments and institutions should get more involved in supporting working mothers, especially shortly after childbirth. Secondly, companies should guarantee the possibility of part-time employment for the women, who have just become mothers. Lastly, fathers should assume more responsibility in childcare and at home, thus taking some of the workload off women.
The paradigm shift in the family role distribution is becoming more and more apparent in the recent years. However, it is always necessary to consider both the benefits and the costs of the change in traditional roles, and to make sure that women are not left alone between the competing demands home and work.
References
Cusworth, L. (2009). The impact of parental employment: young people, well-being and
educational achievement. (pp. 2-3). Farnham, the United Kingdom: Ashgate
Publishing.
Parker, K. (2009, October 01). The harried life of the working mother. Pew Research Center,
Retrieved from http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2009/10/01/the-harried-life-of-the-
working-mother/
