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Is working part-time best for mother and child?

7 replies

LastSummer · 14/12/2011 05:34

From this month's Journal of Family Psychology:

www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/fam-25-6-895.pdf

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 14/12/2011 06:16

Nothing about fathers' working arrangements yet again, you notice.... Studies like this keep the academics nicely busy, but the real answer about whether any working/family arrangement is 'best' is surely unique to the family? In my case, a PT job would mean we were up shit creek financially and my child would be added to the child poverty stats.

SpeccySinclair · 14/12/2011 15:15

There is no 'best' though. What is best for some is unworkable for others. The 'best' thing would be for each family to find a set-up that suits them.

GrimmaTheNome · 14/12/2011 15:22

Quite so, Speccy.

Working PT is best for me and my DH - we're exceptionally fortunate (being older parents of one child, who had no debts and savings before starting a family) that we were both able to downshift - less hours that is, not less mentally challenging jobs. Note the 'exceptionally' - I know its not realistic for most families. Nor desirable for all anyway.

LieInsAreRarerThanTigers · 14/12/2011 15:23
madwomanintheattic · 14/12/2011 15:25

i haven't even read it and i'm cross already. Grin

is working pt best for father and child?
is every individual an identikit robo-parent?
is every child an identikit robo-kid?

ffs.

LieInsAreRarerThanTigers · 14/12/2011 15:28

Working part-time is what I prefer, always have done even before dc! (not money-obsessed, have always tried to do jobs I enjoy and do a variety of things, also very lucky with timing/economy so have income from property, lots of reasons!)
Has not necessarily been to do with my husband's work, although I have needed to work locally.
I am now a single mum and find part-time work still suits me pretty well, have to make compromises sometimes and could do with a bit more money now dh is out of work, but getting by. I would not want to be SAHM or full-time WOHM, but could envisage doing a bit of work at home in evenings now dc are a bit older.
Agree the coverage is sexist and it should be practical for parents of either gender to have more flexibility with set-ups and hours to suit them both.

LineRunnerCrouchingReindeer · 15/12/2011 00:12

Part-time employment having 'some benefits for mothers' is the authors' subjective not a scientific judgement, given that one of those benefits is being able to do more childcare and housework.

The fact that crap begins with a multivariate analysis of crap does not make it right.

Bad, bad science.

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