1. The study examined beliefs about childcare between employed and non-employed mothers with children aged 0-2 years in Jammu, India. 2. It found that employed mothers started non-maternal care earlier, spent less time with children, and had more negative feelings about separation from children. 3. While husbands were generally supportive of employment, mothers believed it was primarily their responsibility to care for children and felt employment negatively impacted child development.

1. A study of childcare beliefs as a function of mothers employment Neeru Sharma Sumati Vaid Meenakshi Sharma Deptt of Home Science University of Jammu Jammu

2. Introduction ‘ Care and development of children’ facing many challenges which did not surface earlier because of : * socio economic changes * break up of traditional families * raise in educational status of women * mother’s joining of labor force In every social change there is a big lag between beliefs, attitudes and actions : * idea of a career woman has to be accepted * No excuse from duties as a mom * No compromise for home life * Mother’s work is round the clock

3. The term ‘working mother’ is a misnomer as mothers are working round the clock If the women elect to pursue a career their families have to be supportive Dual earner couples face many problems In the event of mothers absence from home the responsibility for child care falls on the elders, in a joint family

4. OBJECTIVES To study the relation between family demographic factors and the infants age at initiation of non maternal care ,the hours in care, the type of care selected and the quality of care To study the mother’s child rearing values, beliefs about the benefits and risks of employment and separation anxiety associated with timing, amount and quality of non maternal care.

5. METHODOLOGY SAMPLE : 60 MOTHERS ( 30 EMPLOYED AND 30 NON EMPLOYED) HAVING CHILDREN IN THE AGE GROUP OF 0-2 YEARS Only mothers from urban areas of Jammu selected Only mothers who had attained at least graduation were selected Purposive sampling technique used TOOLS USED: Multidimensional parenting scale: By Dr. N. S Chauhan and Dr. C.p Khokhar(1985) Home observation scale: By Bradley and Caldwell(1979) Rating scale for parental beliefs Interview Schedule

6. Methodolgy….. DATA COLLECTION: HOME VISITS DATA ANALYSIS: STATISTICAL AND CONTENT ANALYSIS MEAN STANDARD DEVIATION CHI SQUARE “ t” TEST

7. Results and Discussion Background Information: Responses Mean Age of the mother (years) 29 Education Graduation Type of family Joint Number of Children 1-2 Number of family members 3-5

8. Information regarding mothers employment n=30 Nature of job 6 days 28(93) No of working hours 4-6 23(77) Time in traveling 30 mins-1hr 23(77) Income 1000-4000 12(40) 7000-9000 15(50) Child stays with during mothers absence: Paternal Grandparents 17(57) Maternal Grandparents 5(17) Crèche 7(23)

9. Attitude towards maternal employment 28(93) Positive Husbands support 28(93) 2(7) Yes No Problems faced by children 20(67) 9(30) Yes No Effect of employment on the child 10(33) 20(67) Positive Negative Mothers attitude at separation 15(50) 12(40) Normal Cries Childs reaction when mother leaves 14(46) 12(40) 4-8 9-13 Time spent with child(hrs) 15(50) 11(37) 4(13) 1-4 months 5-8months 9-12 months Child’s age when non maternal care began N (%ages) variable Responses

10. * significant at 1% HOME OBSERVATION 0.218 55(92) 5(8) 27(90) 3(10) 28(93) 2(7) More Average f) Opportunity for variety in daily stimulation 1.82 1(2) 32(53) 27(45) - 18(60) 12(40) 1(3) 14(47) 15(50) More Average Less e) Parent’s involvement with the child 5.52* 42(70) 16(27) 2(3) 25(83) 4(14) 1(3) 17(57) 12(40) 1(3) More toys Average Less toys d) Provision of play material 10.48* 42(70) 17(28) 1(2) 26(87) 3(10) 1(3) 16(53) 14(47) - Good Average Poor c)Organisation of environment 6.64* 48(82) 12(20) 20(67) 10(33) 28(93) 2(7) More acceptable Average b)Acceptance of childs behaviour 0.576 52(87) 8(13) 27(90) 3(10) - 25(83) 5(17) - More responsible Average Less responsible a) Emotional and verbal responsivity of parents χ2 Total N=60 (%) Non Employed N=30 (%) Employed N=30 (%) Dimensions

11. Multidimensional parenting scale Non deviance on most of the positive dimensions, 40 % employed and 30% non employed mothers are dominant Deviance on all the negative dimensions Significant differences in mean, on Dominance, at 1% level As a whole 97% employed and 93% non employed mothers show non deviance on positive dimensions 90% employed and 67% non employed mothers show deviance on negative dimensions No significant differences observed except on dominance

12. Conclusions Children of employed mothers started receiving non maternal care early Employed mothers usually spend less time with their children They felt guilt and have negative feelings towards separation from their children Were of the opinion that employment effects their child’s development negatively Husbands cooperative but believe that their wives should not work Helped wives in childcare but mothers believe that it is their prime responsibility

13. Conclusions contd No difference in home environment of the children of employed and non employed mothers in the dimensions of emotional and verbal responsivity,parental involvement and opportunities for daily stimulation Difference in favour of employed mothers in the dimension of acceptance of childs behaviour In organisation of environment and provision of play material differences in favour of non employed mothers Due to lack of time the employed mothers usually accept the behaviour of their children but they are lesser able to organise their child’s environment and provide play material to them

14. Conclusions contd Mothers believe that they are not spoiling the child by cuddling or showing affectionate behaviuor They give less freedom to the children There is flexibility in discipline and control Reading and story telling not found effective at this age by them