Kids of Working Moms Have More Successful Careers & Family Relationships

A new Harvard study reveals that daughters of working mothers are likely to end up with a better career and end up having more equal relationships than the kids raised by stay-at-home mothers. Sons, on the other hand, are better equipped to handle family life and care for children and help around the home. 

The abstract for the research writes:

Adult daughters of employed mothers are more likely to be employed, more likely to hold supervisory responsibility if employed, work more hours, and earn marginally higher wages than women whose mothers were home full time. The effects on labor market outcomes are non-significant for men. Maternal employment is also associated with adult outcomes at home. Sons raised by an employed mother spend more time caring for family members than men whose mothers stayed home full time, and daughters raised by an employed mother spend less time on housework than women whose mothers stayed home full time. 

The study used data from 24 countries and according to the lead author of the study, Harvard Business School professor Kathleen McGinn, the new study suggests that working moms may be doing something great for their kids.

It was also noted by the author that the findings marked in both the US and the UK where public attitudes on career equality may be more of a barrier. The research shows that daughters of employed mothers were 4.5 percent more likely to be employed themselves in the future as well as have a higher salary.

"Our findings reveal the potential for non-traditional gender role models to gradually erode gender inequality in homes." The researchers further hope that their study can help highlight the importance of establishing policies designed to help parents who are working. It's imperative that support be provided to mothers who are employed, be it full-time or part-time.

Reporting on the study's findings, The Guardian quoted McGinn saying:

"We hope the findings from our research will promote respect for the spectrum of choices women and men make at home and at work," the researchers concluded. "Whether moms or dads stay at home or are employed, part-time or full-time, children benefit from exposure to role models offering a wide set of alternatives for leading rich and rewarding lives."

The study emphasized the effect that mothers have on the household, whey they're financially productive, it creates an environment that influences children's attitudes and ideas on what's achievable for men and women, noted iDiva.com. 

The full report of the study, "Mums of the Word! Cross-national Effects of Maternal Employment on Gender Inequalities at Work and at Home."