The Evolution of Work and Family

Abstract

In Chapter 4, we move beyond the first-time experiences of early motherhood to consider how life as a working mother shifts as a family structure evolves. There has been a predominant focus on pregnancy and women’s initial transition to becoming a working mother, yet as children age and careers shift, working mothers face new work and home decisions. This next series of transitions differ from those of early motherhood. While the anxiety and uncertainty of “will I be a good working mother?” may have diminished, working mothers often face increased complexity associated with managing a household with multiple children. At the same time, women may be experiencing more pressure to take on new opportunities in their careers. In exploring how women manage these competing pressures, we focus on how women can lean on relationships within the family, at work, and in the community to forge their positive path.