Sociology Faculty Publications

Parental Strains and Rewards Among Mothers: The Role of Education

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Using data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (N = 1,198), this study examines the associations between education and parental strains and rewards among mothers of young children. Findings indicate that a college degree or more is related to less parenting anxiety, but more role captivity, and less new life meaning from parenting than lower levels of education. Differences by education are partly explained by variation in levels of progressive parenting values and work commitment, but remain significant. These patterns indicate that education provides greater resources that ease parental anxiety, but also leads to greater perceived demands of having a successful career, which contribute to more role captivity and less new life meaning from parenting.

Publisher's Statement

Availability via databases maintained by the United States National Library of Medicine.

Publication Date

6-2011

Publication Title

Journal of Marriage and the Family

Start Page No.

621

End Page No.

636

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