Taylor & Francis Group
Browse
1/1
2 files

I hardly see my baby: challenges and highlights of being a New Zealand working mother of an infant

dataset
posted on 2017-11-09, 00:29 authored by Elizabeth R. Peterson, Natalija Andrejic, Maria T. Corkin, Karen E. Waldie, Elaine Reese, Susan M.B. Morton

Combining motherhood and paid work presents a significant challenge for many women. We asked 2388 working New Zealand mothers of infants about their biggest highlight and challenge since the birth of their child. Thematic analysis revealed the top three reported highlights were Enjoyment of the Child (40%), Child Development (29%) and Attributes of the Child (16%). The top three challenges included Time Management (24%), difficulties with maternal role and responsibilities (21%) and work-related challenges (18%). Using logistic regression, working was more likely to be reported as a challenge by mothers who worked longer hours, returned to work when their infants were younger, had greater household incomes, or expressed concern about negative career consequences if they stayed on leave. Working was less likely to be reported as a challenge for mothers whose infants had health or developmental problems and who ‘wanted to get out of the house’. Practical implications are explored.

History

Usage metrics

    Kōtuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC