Working Mothers and the Educational Achievements of Their Children (From Social World of Adolescents: International Perspectives, P 185-198, 1989, Klaus Hurrelmann and Uwe Engel, eds. -- See NCJ-120206)

• NCJ Number: 120217
• Author(s): J Dronkers
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: Walter de Gruyter & Co
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: West Germany (Former)

Annotation

This study explored whether the educational attainment of Netherlands students whose mothers have a paid job differs from that of students whose mothers do not have a paid job outside the home, after controlling for father's educational level, parents' educational level, and mother's age.

Abstract

Data on educational attainment were obtained from a cohort study initiated in 1977 of about 30,000 students entering secondary education for the first time. Only students who lived with two adults of which the male adult worked more than 35 hours per week in a paid job were included in the study. There were no pronounced differences between the educational career of students with mothers who had paid jobs and the educational attainment of students with mothers who only worked in their households, even taking into account social class, education, age, and sex. Some kinds of paid jobs (commercial, service, and industrial occupations) showed a negative impact on the educational attainment of children, while other kinds of paid jobs (scientific, professional, clerical, and agrarian occupations) had a positive impact on educational attainment. The market and work situation of men and women affected their attitudes and behavior on and outside the job, and this in turn affected the child's education. It is concluded that the mother having a paid job outside the home does not necessarily have a negative impact on her child's educational attainment. 19 references, 6 tables.