At the end of the day, what really matters?
Instead of studying for crim law (on 2.5 hours of sleep I should add) I am researching worknig mothers and children... Here are my findings so far (based on empirical research):
Research findings: the effects of maternal employment:
• On children up to age three, kids whose moms stayed home had higher language acquisition and cognitive abilities than those whose moms work
• On children up to age five, kids whose moms were at home were rated by child care centers to be the friendliest, and much less likely to be “hitters” or act out.
• On seven year olds whose moms who stayed home until they were three, they were less likely to “act out” in school, friendlier, and overall rated better by teachers
• On teenagers, girls whose moms stayed home full-time were less likely to have sex before the age 19, and more likely to be aware of sexual issues.
• Teens whose moms worked full-time, however, reported the friendliest relationships. Teens whose moms worked part time reported more positive daily moods and higher self esteem. (I wonder to what extent the fact that fundamental Christian moms are more likely to be SAHMs has on this aspect - and always butting heads with kids over music and friends.)
• Part time maternal employment is optimal for children’s scholastic success - even more telling than time spent with fathers
• Sons of mothers who are in a high-status occupation look negatively on two-career family models (in other words, they want their wives to stay home and raise children).
• On the other hand, adolescents of working moms are more liberal toward sex-role orientations and division of household labor. Girls are more likely to want a career and plan for a childless future.
How Babies Alter Careers for Academics (Babies often bump women off the tenure track, new study finds)
The Case for Staying Home: Time Magazine (Yep, being a woman sucks sometimes.)