Survey: Most Women Work Because They Have To

Filed in archive Information about , Lifestyles on May 8, 2009

© Mariela De Marchi

According to Adecco Group (the largest staffing agency in the world) North America's latest American Workplace Insights Survey in honor of Mother's Day, more than three quarters of women are working because they have to, not because they want to. Additionally, almost half (48%) of working moms are more stressed due to the current economic climate and the majority (65%) are cutting their family budget.

Some further evidence that the economy is taking a toll on working mothers is that almost half (48%) of working moms wish they could spend more time with their kids with nearly one in five (16%) reporting that their work hours have increased in this economy. Also, nearly one in five (19%) of working moms are overcompensating by purchasing material goods for their children.

Other interesting stats include:

• Re-entering the work force -13% of working moms went back to working full-time in this economy


• Feeling overwhelmed -Nearly 1/3 (30%) or working moms feel overwhelmed with responsibilities at home


• Being a role model -Working mothers are nearly 20% more likely to think their kids find them to be a role model than non-working moms


• Children of working moms are better behaved and better in school -74% of working moms think their children do well in school while 60% of nonworking moms feel this way. 72% of working moms think their children are well behaved compared to 65% of non-working moms

Well I think it isn't just the economy that has been pushing women to work. I guess it is just that some women would like to pursue their careers as well. Unless your husband is filthy rich, you'd also would like to work from home in order to help with the family expenses. However, I honestly believe that women should find the right balance. If what they're earning is just enough to put your kids in day care or pay a nanny, then you might as well stay at home and take care of your kids especially when they are young. By the time your kids are in regular school, then I guess it wouldn't hurt if the mother is working.