The Effect of Mother's Employment on the Achievement, Aspirations, and Expectations of the Child

Abstract

This study of 3,014 high school seniors examined school achievement and educational aspirations and expectations of youth of working and nonworking mothers. The sample was stratified by socio‐economic level and by the sex of the student. The fact that mothers were employed full‐time appeared to have little, if any, detrimental effect on children in regard to educational aspirations, expectations, and achievement. There was even a trend for these children to have higher educational aspirations and expectations than children of nonworking mothers, with the exception of boys from the professional socio‐economic level. Aspirations and expectations were less divergent at higher socio‐economic levels than at lower levels. Girls with working mothers planned to combine a homemaking and working career in their own lives more often than did girls with nonworking mothers. Children of both sexes with working mothers, at lower socio‐economic levels but not at professional levels, expected more financial help from their family for future schooling.