Maternal Employment and Family Responsibilities: the Perspectives of Mothers of Children with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

Over recent decades, there has been a substantial increase in the proportion of women in the workforce with dependent children. However, this trend is not evident for mothers of children with disabilities. Their employment levels are greatly reduced. The present paper examines the nature of the restrictions which affect the employment participation of these mothers and explores the meaning work has for them. The data presented in this paper were derived from qualitative interviews with 18 mothers of children with disabilities aged between 5 and 15 years. These mothers found employment difficult. They encountered unusual time demands, and a lack of adequate and affordable child care. Furthermore, they felt that their employment opportunities were restricted by attitudes prevalent in society concerning appropriate roles for women, especially mothers of children with disabilities. The lack of opportunities to engage in employment led, in varying degrees, to feelings of isolation, a lack of fulfilment and low self‐esteem. The mothers felt that they were on the periphery of society with little release from the pressures of caring. Mothers who had part‐time jobs often did poorly paid work of low status, thereby encountering few opportunities to use their skills and abilities to the full. Those who attempted a full‐time job experienced stress from the dual demands of home and work, and from a fear that they were failing as mothers. The present paper highlights areas which require attention to improve the employment experience of these mothers.

Desire to have other children in families with a chronically disabled child and its effect on the relationship of the parents

“…It has been found that these parents experience problems resulting in chronic sorrow, stress, inadequate self-confidence, depression, social isolation, various emotional stresses, increased marriage problems, decreased rates of employment or decreased rates of starting a new job (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23). It has been reported that the problems experienced increase as the socio-cultural and economical level of the family decreases (24,25).…”

Income and Occupation as Correlates of Well-Being of Caregivers of Children with Disabilities in South-Western Nigeria

“…In their conclusion, having a child with poor health status is associated with reduced maternal and paternal employment Moreover a qualitative study with 18 mothers of children with disabilities aged between 5 and 15 years found employment difficult and encountered unusual time demands, and a lack of adequate and affordable child care (Shearn and Todd 2000). Furthermore, the authors felt that their employment opportunities were restricted by attitudes prevalent in society concerning appropriate roles for women, especially mothers of children with disabilities.…”

“…Mothers who had part-time jobs often did poorly paid work of low status, thereby encountering few opportunities to use their skills and abilities to the full. Those who attempted a full-time job experience stress from the dual demands of home and work, and from a fear that they were failing as mothers (Shearn and Todd, 2000).…”

Exigences professionnelles et familiales, conflits interrôles et détresse psychologique des mères d'enfants ayant une déficience intellectuelle /

“…Malgré ce choix sur le plan professionnel, ces mères considèrent qu'il demeure difficile de gérer l'ensemble de leurs responsabilités (Cuskelly, Pulman, & Hayes, 1998;Fredriksen & Scharlach, 1999;Freedman et al, 1995;Higgins, Duxbury, & Johnson, 2000;Lewis et al, 2000a;Marks, 1998). D'autres mères faisant face à de nombreuses problématiques familiales rapportent des difficultés à s'impliquer dans un emploi rémunéré (Jansen et al, 2003;Porterfield, 2002;Roach et al, 1999;Shearn & Todd, 2000;Tétreault, 1993;Warfield, 2001). Le fait de ne pas occuper d'emploi rend ces mères susceptibles de se retrouver dans des contextes défavorisés et d'éprouver un niveau élevé de détresse psychologique (Bird, 1999;Emerson, 2003;Lochhead & Scott, 2000;Shearn & Todd, 2000 Conceptualisations du lien entre le travail et la vie familiale Un certain nombre de chercheurs ont suggéré des conceptualisations qui permettent de décrire les relations entre la vie professionnelle et la vie familiale (Barnert, 1998;Clark, 2000;Edwards & Rothbard, 2000;Evans & Bartolomé, 1984, 1986Lambert, 1990;Zedeck & Mosier, 1990).…”

“…D'autres mères faisant face à de nombreuses problématiques familiales rapportent des difficultés à s'impliquer dans un emploi rémunéré (Jansen et al, 2003;Porterfield, 2002;Roach et al, 1999;Shearn & Todd, 2000;Tétreault, 1993;Warfield, 2001). Le fait de ne pas occuper d'emploi rend ces mères susceptibles de se retrouver dans des contextes défavorisés et d'éprouver un niveau élevé de détresse psychologique (Bird, 1999;Emerson, 2003;Lochhead & Scott, 2000;Shearn & Todd, 2000 Conceptualisations du lien entre le travail et la vie familiale Un certain nombre de chercheurs ont suggéré des conceptualisations qui permettent de décrire les relations entre la vie professionnelle et la vie familiale (Barnert, 1998;Clark, 2000;Edwards & Rothbard, 2000;Evans & Bartolomé, 1984, 1986Lambert, 1990;Zedeck & Mosier, 1990). Parmi les écrits recensés, les principales notions conceptuelles décrites sont : Pinstrumentalisme, la segmentation, l'accommodation, la compensation, l'épanouissement, le débordement et le conflit (Barnert, 1998;Edwards & Rothbard, 2000;Lambert, 1990;Stepanski, 2002;Zedeck & Mosier, 1990 (Lachance & Brassard, 2003).…”