Working Mothers Less Depressed
Social, Marital & Family Benefits of Working Moms
Some research shows that working moms can experience less depression, better health, & higher self-esteem than stay-at-home moms. Exploring The Feminine Mistake.
For some women, being a working mom was a tough choice to make. Others, however, gain a great deal from going back to work – especially moms working from home.
Leslie Bennetts, author of The Feminine Mistake, shares so many benefits of working mothers in her book that it seems silly to be a stay-at-home mom! Her arguments are convincing – but every woman must weigh the pros and cons in her own life. Factors such as financial situation, children's age, work availability, partner support, work passion and health play a role in the decision to be working mom or stay-at-home mother.
Not all women experience the benefits of working moms.
The benefits of working moms may be colored by particular professions, interests, and values. For instance, if you're passionate about being and educated as a teacher you may reap more rewards than if you work at the local convenience store, shopping mall, or factory. Moms working from home who can set their hours and choose the type of work they do are in an ideal – and rare – situation.
Personal Benefits of Working Moms
"As the survey of gifted women indicates, many simply feel that being a homemaker fails to utilize the full range of their capabilities," writes Bennetts. Working moms can feel like they're using all their gifts, talents, and abilities in a more useful capacity than stay-at-home moms. Intellectual stimulation, problem solving, and handling challenges increase feelings of self-esteem and self-confidence.
Working moms have their own income, which offers independence, freedom, and security. They can make their own decisions about money and purchases; they know how their money is spent. There's a sense of satisfaction in being a working mom, as well as the economic ability to take care of oneself if the marriage should dissolve or the partner's health fails.
Family Benefits of Working Moms
Role modeling a successful, happy life as a working mom can benefit both boys and girls. If mom is happy and challenged in her life, she's more likely to encourage a happy and challenging life for her kids.
Marital Benefits of Working Moms
Reducing the financial pressure on the working partner is a benefit of working moms. Single-income families may have a hard time making ends meet; working moms may ease the burden.
Working moms may be more interested and involved in the "outside world", which makes them more interesting to talk to. Living a full, balanced life can lead to a happier marriage. Working moms bring a sense of equality to the marriage.
Health Benefits of Working Moms
"Employed women are healthier than their homemaker peers, despite the pressure of added responsibilities. They have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and lower weight," writes Dr. Anna Fels as quoted from The Feminine Mistake. "Few facts are as well-documented as the good physical and emotional health of women on the job….Psychologically, working women have less depression than their domestic counterparts, and they have, astonishingly, been reported to have less anxiety."
Social Benefits of Working Moms
Work can be a strong support network in times of crisis. With the right employer and colleagues, working moms can lean on their coworkers when facing death, illness, or other unexpected challenges. Many friendships blossom at work and grow stronger over the years.
"In comparison with such benefits, the sacrifices required by the juggling act ultimately seem negligible to many working women," says Bennetts in The Feminine Mistake.
Every woman's situation is different, but many working moms benefit from their choices. Moms working from home or telecommuting may experience more benefits than others.
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