Attitudes Toward Home-Based Employment for Mothers of Young Children: Australian Evidence

International Journal of Social Welfare, Forthcoming

Posted: 24 Nov 2008 Last revised: 7 Apr 2015

See all articles by C. G. E. Kelley

C. G. E. Kelley

International Survey Center

S. M. C. 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

Date Written: December 1, 2008

Abstract

People have mixed feelings about paid employment for mothers with young children. This might reflect opposition to women's work per se or, instead, fear that children are harmed by mothers' absence from the home. To find out, we developed new questions differentiating support for or opposition to mother's working for pay depending on whether the employment is home-based or outside the home. Data from a large representative national sample of Australia (n=1324) show that public support for employment is about 30 percentage points greater if the mother works at home. Structural equation analyses show some social differences in levels of support. Thus work at home provides a way of increasing mother's labor force participation and earnings (with the welfare benefits that implies) that is congruent with public opinion.

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

JEL Classification: D13, D60, D63, J22

Suggested Citation

Kelley, Claire G. E. and Kelley, Sarah M.C. and Evans, Mariah and Kelley, Jonathan, Attitudes Toward Home-Based Employment for Mothers of Young Children: Australian Evidence (December 1, 2008). International Journal of Social Welfare, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1305302

Claire G. E. Kelley

International Survey Center ( email )

18124 Wedge Parkway #1035
Reno, NV 89511
United States

Sarah M.C. 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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