Transcript Driven Women: The Twists and Turns of Childbirth on Women’s Career Choices By: Maribeth L.

Driven Women:
The Twists and Turns of Childbirth on
Women’s Career Choices
By: Maribeth L. Sarnecki
December 4, 2006
Overview:
Introduction
 Literature Review
 Theory
 Method
 Findings
 Discussion

Thesis

The purpose of this paper is to examine
the social choices of Saint Mary’s College
Alumnae regarding career choices made
after the birth of their first child.
Literature Review

Work Policy
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FMLA
US Congress (1993)
Ruhm (1997)
Klerman and Leibowitz (1999)
Gornich, Meyers and Ross (1996)
Attitudes and Choices
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Edwards (2002)
Cerkanovich, Giordano, Groat,
Pugh and Swineford (1997)
Hoffnung (2001)
Childcare
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Gornich, Meyers and Ross (1996)
Kurts-Costes and Punghello
(2000)
Roles after first birth
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Klerman and Leibowitz (1999)
Gornich, Meyers and Ross (1996)
Vandenheuvel (1997)
Budig and England (2001)
Feminist Theory

Betty Friedan

The Problem that has no name (1963)
Methods: Participants

308 Saint Mary’s College Alumnae contacted
form a list provided by the Saint Mary’s College
Alumnae Relations Office

Matched criteria of:
1.
2.

Graduated from Saint Mary’s College between the years of
1995 and 2005
Have given birth to at least one child since graduation
85 responses (27%)
Methods: Participant Demographics
Post Bachelors
Degree
Out of 36 responses
Religious Affiliation
Out of 80
responses
Masters
21 (63%)
Catholic
77 (96%)
MBA
2 (6%)
Catholic/Episcolian
1(1%)
MD’s
2 (6%)
Protestant
1(1%)
1(1%)
JD
2 (6%)
Methodist
Lutheran
1(1%)
Leading Occupations
Out of 77 responses
Business
10 (11%)
Education
15 (17%)
Homemaker
25 (29%)
Other
15 (17%)
Average
Age
Alumnae
Spouse
@ marriage
24.5 yrs.
26.96
yrs.
@ first
child’s birth
27.18 yrs.
29.24
yrs.
Method: Procedures

Contacted 308 Saint Mary’s College Alumnae via email who
graduated between the years of 1995 and 2005 and have
given birth to atleast one child since graduation from a list
provided by the Saint Mary’s College Alumnae Relations
Office

Online survey conducted at surveymonkey.com

Eight-five multiple choice and open-ended question
Research Question

What Social Factors impact the career
choice of Saint Mary’s College Alumnae
after the birth of their first child?
Findings: Based on Maternity Leave
Based on Maternity leave
Responded
% of 85
Alumnae employed at time of birth
74
84%
Alumnae were allowed to take of the amount of
maternity leave wanted
31
36%
Alumnae employer were flexible with the amount of time
off through maternity leave
40
47%
Alumnae employers were not flexible with their amount
of time off through maternity leave
9
10%
Maternity leave offered lasted 0-16 weeks
54
63%
Alumnae returned to work when their maternity leave
was up
36
42%
Alumnae did not return to work after their maternity
leave was up
30
35%
Alumnae are currently employed
48
56.4%
Findings: Maternity Leave
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24
25
20
19
20
15
12
10
5
Maternity Leave
offered by Employer
(in weeks)
3
0
0-4 weeks 4-8 weeks
8-12
weeks
12-16
weeks
other
12.5 weeks was the average amount of time taken off for maternity leave
Findings: Working Mothers and Stay-at-Home Mothers
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Deciding Factors
Deciding Factors on Returning to Work
40
39
30
17
20
15
9
10
0
Financial
Personal
Career Goals
Other
Findings: Working Mothers and Stay-at-Home Mothers
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Acceptance of
Decision
Acceptance of Career Decision
100%
98.80%
100%
80%
97.30%
95%
60%
40%
20%
0%
5%
0
Spouse
Family
Accepting
1.20%
2.70%
Friends Employers
Unaccepting
Discussion

Parent/Child Relationships

Finances
Questions???