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Saba Khan
Professor Earl King
Engl 1301
12 December 2013
Benefits of Being a Working Mother
Men and women are working harder than ever to survive in today's tough economy. It's a
big challenge for low and middle class families to survive. To meet growing demands, it's getting
difficult for families to depend on one income. To contribute to family income, mothers are
coming forward and joining the workforce. Working mothers are the one who takes care of the
family and work outside the home. They may be a single mothers or married mothers. Working
mothers usually work to support their family financially. Some of the mothers work, just because
they are more career-oriented. Working mothers may work part time or full time. Women are
now the primary or only income source for 40% of US households with kids, according to a new
Pew survey (Wang, Parker and Taylor, ch. 1). They play a major role in raising their family and
doing household chores. There are many reasons that why mothers should work.
Working mothers try their best to balance between families and work. Mothers who work
outside are happier, have a better level of health and energy, as compared to stay at home
mothers. Working mothers are dynamic multi-taskers and great managers. The most important
reason that mothers should work is money. Whether a mother is single or married, in order to
survive in a fluctuating economy the family needs money. Mothers can never see their family
depriving of basic needs. Another reason could be if a mother is earning more than a father then
it's wise to continue the job. Also when both mother and father work, two incomes are coming
into the house. Because of that family can enjoy the luxuries, go on vacations and fulfill children
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demands. A working mother is financially independent. If a husband dies or divorces her, she
will have no problem to stand on her own feet. If the kids need more time with their mother.
Then working mothers can choose from a couple of options like flexible work hours, work from
home or part time jobs whatever that suits their needs. Single mothers usually work full time
because they are single parents and they have no other option.
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, Mothers with younger children are less likely
to be in the labor force than mothers with older children. In 2012, the labor force participation
rate of mothers with children under 6 years old (64.8 percent) was lower than the rate of those
whose youngest child was 6 to 17 years old (75.1 percent). The participation rate of mothers with
infants under a year old was 57.0 percent. Among employed mothers, those with preschoolers
are more likely to work part time than are mothers with children ages 6 to 17. About 29 percent
of employed mothers with children under age 6 worked part time in 2012, compared with 23
percent of employed mothers with children ages 6 to 17 ( TED: The Editors Desk).
Working mothers children are relatively well mannered and confident. Because of the
busy schedule, working mothers spend a quality time with the children. As long as the mother is
having fun with the family its a sign of happy family. Working mothers set a good example for
children and the children make their mother a role model. The children respect and care for their
mother, when they see their mothers hardship. Because of mothers interaction with the outer
world, she wont only stop the children from mistakes but also teach them how to deal with
different situations. When a woman is working; her child has got to learn how to adjust to
different people and surroundings. That makes the kids mature and independent. Working
mothers take out time to listen to her kids issues; she is a great cheerleader and motivator for her
children. If the children are small she looks for the best childcare and best schools.
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On the WebMD website page a study shows, Kids whose mom work outside the home
are no more likely to have behavioral or emotional problems at age 5 than kids whose moms
stayed at home. The study is published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
In 2010, about 64% of American moms with kids under age 6 worked outside of the home,
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Study researcher Anne McMunn, PhD, a senior
research fellow at University College London said that they don't see the detrimental effects on
children's behavior with maternal employment" (Mann).
The mothers who work outside have positive effects on themselves too. Mothers who are
working are more satisfied with their decision to work. They dont feel inferior to men and they
are very proud of their achievements. Working mothers are more active, confident and
independent than stay at home mothers. They are great managers. Its not an easy task to balance
between house and work but working mothers try their best. By working outside they are not
only supporting the family but also helping the economy of the country to grow. The best of all
they are utilizing their skills and education towards something productive and constructive. They
have their own identity. It is also positive that working mothers get time alone from their family
and get to spend some good time. They can also enjoy the chat with co-workers on.
Society respects and adore working mothers. Society thinks mothers who work, care
more for their children. Society encourages mothers to do a job. No matter how busy the
working mothers are, they take out time for their children. Also the companies play a positive
role to encourage and support working mothers by offering maternity leave, flexible working
hours and phase-back programs for new moms. If working mothers feel that they are not giving
their kids enough time, they could work from home, or she could choose flexible work hours
option. For example, IBM has started intergenerational dependent-care centers and offers home-
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care reviews for aging parents. Discovery Communications reimburses employees for their
personal trainer.
Working Mother Editor-in-Chief Susan Lapinski said, "Companies know that healthy
employees mean a healthy bottom line. Wellness programs cut absenteeism, increase
productivity, and build loyalty" ( Better benefits for working moms).
People often criticize working mothers that they dont give enough time to their kids as
compared to stay at home mothers. But the fact is it doesnt matter how much time you spend,
what matter is how you spend time with your kids. Working mothers sure have less time to spend
with their kids than stay at home mothers. But this reason cant make stay at home mothers better
than working mothers. Even though working mothers have less time because of the work
pressure, as long as they spend quality with their kids, it is enough. Sometimes stay at home
mothers are around the house the whole day but they dont even look at their kids. They provide
them with food and other things but their involvement with children is less. Stay at home
mothers thinks their presence is enough. But thats not true what makes a difference in a kids life
is a quality time and the way you interact with your kids.
There is no doubt that working mothers constantly strive to balance work and family.
They always try their best to provide the best of everything to their kids. For working mothers
kids are major priority. Because of their leadership quality they could manage anything they
want to. By working outside and taking care of family, they make their own identity. They are
proud of their achievements and because of that they are happy in their life, when mothers are
happy they will surely keep their family happy too. Working mothers are the inspiring
personality for everyone. The best of all, they are doing a productive work and helping the
economy to grow.
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Works Cited
Wang,Wendy, Kim Parker, and Paul Taylor. "Breadwinner Moms." Research Social and
Demographic Trends. Pew Research Center, 29 May 2013. Web. 9 Dec. 2013.
"Happy Mother's Day from BLS: working mothers in 2012." TED: The Editor's Desk.
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, 10 May 2013. Web. 9 Dec. 2013.
Mann, Denise. "No Risk of Behavior Problems for Working Moms' Kids." Health and
Parenting. WebMD, 21 July 2011. Web. 9 Dec. 2013.
"Better benefits for working moms ." Jobs & Economy. CNN Money, 21 Sept. 2004. Web. 9
Dec. 2013.
"The Harried Life of the Working Mother." PewResearch Social and Demographic Trends. Pew
Research Center, 1 Oct. 2009. Web. 9 Dec. 2013.
"Working mothers." Encyclopedia of Children's Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2013.
"How To Decide Whether To Be A Stay At Home Mom or Working Mom." Cash money life:
Personal Finance And Career. Ed. Ryan Guina. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2013.
"Stay-at-Home Moms vs. Working Moms." Parenting. Dr.Phil, n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2013.
Murray, Linda, Anna McGrail, and Daphne Metland. The Baby Center Essential Guide ToYour
Baby's First Year. N.p.: Holtzbrinck, 2007. 185-88. Print.









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References
Wang, W., Parker, K., & Taylor, P. (2013, May 29). Breadwinner Moms. In Research Social and
Demographic Trends. Retrieved December 9, 2013, from
http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2013/05/29/breadwinner-moms/
Happy Mother's Day from BLS: working mothers in 2012 (2013, May 10). In TED: The
Editor's Desk. Retrieved December 9, 2013, from
http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2013/ted_20130510.htm
Mann, D. (2011, July 21). No Risk of Behavior Problems for Working Moms' Kids. In Health
and Parenting. Retrieved December 9, 2013, from
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20110721/no-risk-of-behavior-problems-for-
working-moms-kids
Better benefits for working moms (2004, September 21). In Jobs & Economy. Retrieved
December 9, 2013, from
http://money.cnn.com/2004/09/21/news/economy/working_mothers/
The Harried Life of the Working Mother (2009, October 1). In PewResearch Social and
Demographic Trends. Retrieved December 9, 2013, from
http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2009/10/01/the-harried-life-of-the-working-mother/
Working mothers (n.d.). In Encyclopedia of Children's Health. Retrieved December 9, 2013,
from http://www.healthofchildren.com/U-Z/Working-Mothers.html
Stay-at-Home Moms vs. Working Moms (n.d.). In Parenting. Retrieved December 9, 2013,
from http://drphil.com/articles/article/284
Murray, L., McGrail, A., & Metland, D. (2007). The Baby Center Essential Guide ToYour
Baby's First Year (pp. 185-188). N.p.: Holtzbrinck.




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