Support for Mothers' Employment at Home: Conflict between Work and Family

International Journal of Public Opinion Research, Forthcoming

20 Pages Posted: 24 Nov 2008

See all articles by S. M. C. Kelley

S. M. C. Kelley

International Survey Center

C. G. E. Kelley

International Survey Center

M. D. R. Evans

University of Nevada, Reno - Departments of Resource Economics and Sociology

Jonathan Kelley

International Survey Center; University of Nevada Reno - Department of Sociology

Abstract

The conflict between family life and paid work outside the home creates difficult trade-offs. In most developed nations, few men or women think that mothers with young children are best off working full-time. But another alternative reduces the conflict: paid work at home. Data from a large representative national sample of Australia (n=1324) show that public support for maternal employment is fully 30 percentage points greater if the work is done at home. This difference is even larger for those who believe that there is great conflict between work and family, but vanishes for those who see little conflict. Structural equation analyses show significant social differences in levels of support, mainly reflecting different perceptions of conflict between work and family.

Keywords: women, home employment, Australia, attitudes, moral beliefs, conflict

JEL Classification: D13, D60, D63, J22

Suggested Citation

Kelley, Sarah M.C. and Kelley, Claire G. E. and Evans, Mariah and Kelley, Jonathan, Support for Mothers' Employment at Home: Conflict between Work and Family. International Journal of Public Opinion Research, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1305279

Sarah M.C. Kelley

International Survey Center ( email )

18124 Wedge Parkway #1035
Reno, NV 89511
United States

Claire G. E. Kelley

International Survey Center ( email )

18124 Wedge Parkway #1035
Reno, NV 89511
United States

Mariah Evans

University of Nevada, Reno - Departments of Resource Economics and Sociology ( email )

1664 N. Virginia St
Reno, NV 89557
United States

Jonathan Kelley (Contact Author)

International Survey Center ( email )

18124 Wedge Parkway #1035
Reno, NV 89511
United States
415 315 9806 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.international-survey.org

University of Nevada Reno - Department of Sociology ( email )

United States

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