The experience of women who combine full time paid employment with motherhood

Project Duration

2011 – 2013/2014

Funder

Internal funding

Aims

To explore women's experiences of combining full-time paid employment with motherhood.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews.

Stage of Development

Study Complete

Outcomes and Findings

Even when established mothers are holding working roles that could be described as ‘career devotional’, the ideology of ‘intensive mothering’ continues to pervade some of their assumptions, thinking and behaviour. Intensive mothering naturalises the notion that ultimately a child needs a mother’s care, thereby trapping women with unnecessary anxiety and self-blame.

Publications

One journal article ready for submission to the British Journal of Sociology.