Stay-At-Home Mom Dilemma: Americans Think Kids Are Better Off With One Parent At Home; More Working Moms Want To Be SAHM

Most children in American households are used to having both parents work. Yet a new study has revealed that American families would rather have one parent be at home with the kids at all the time, as with a stay-at-home (SAHM) mom. Another study shows that many working moms would rather become SAHM. What could be the reason for this shift?

The latest study on American families, which was conducted by Pew Research, shows that some 59 percent of Americans prefer that only one parent works while the other parent stays at home with the children. At least 45 percent said that the kids should be looked after by a stay-at-home mom, while 53 percent said that whoever parent stays home with the children doesn't really matter. Two percent expressed preference for having a stay-at-home dad be with the kids.

Over 4,600 parents were asked to participate in the Pew Research survey, with 46 percent of the respondents actually coming from a family with both parents working to subsist in a two-income household. New York Magazine points out that the results of the study should be an eye-opener for the public, especially employers or government agencies concerned.

The reality is that standards of living, certain job opportunities and work benefits do not make it possible for American families to have one parent focusing full time on the children. It's high time that for policies regarding working parents must be evaluated and changed.

The Pew Research findings reflect another earlier study conducted by Gallup, which had 323,500 adult respondents. The results indicate that 54 percent of working moms actually prefer to be stay-at-home moms in the current work environment.

The reason for the shift in preference is not solely dictated by a mom's desire to constantly attach or engage in her children. Rather, many working moms feel that their needs at work aren't being addressed properly by employers.

"They want to be able to care for their children and themselves and to take their careers as far as their talent and ambition will lead them," the report cited, according to Cosmopolitan. If only more companies are open to making adjustments for mothers in the workplace. So, instead of dealing with outdated policies, working moms would rather be SAHMs.

What do you think are the implications of these studies? Do you agree with the results? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.