In the article "The Triumph of the Working Mother" by Stephanie Coontz in the New York Times, the working mother is viewed from the standpoint of emotional, social and economic vulnerabilities quite well. On the emotional level, it is reported that working mothers today are happier than non-working mothers. They are at lower risk for depression, sadness and all-around poor mental health. Their work outside the home gives them a sense of fulfillment, purpose, and financial assurance, whereas stay-at-home moms are more likely to suffer from depression. This article suggests that Betty Friedan was correct when she urged women to enter the workforce in order to find contentment.
On a social level, marriages seem to work best in which the mother works after giving birth. According to statistics, both mothers and fathers spend more time with their...
The fact that both parents work outside the home means that both realize the need to be with their children and give "double" time, so to speak.
On the economic level, marriages in which moms work also seem to have better financial stability. They are not dependent upon a single income (the father's) but rather are a two-income family and can afford the rising cost of today's consumer culture.
In short, this article shows that mothers who work outside the home are no longer frowned upon but are rather integral to happy and successful marriages in today's world. The mothers feel better about themselves, the parents spend more time (contrary to popular opinion) with their children, and their combined incomes make their lifestyles affordable.
