Envisioning Working Parenthood: Research Results and Classroom Applications

1. Envisioning Working Parenthood: Research Results and Classroom Applications Robin Lightner, University of Cincinnati Karyn McKenzie, Georgetown College Paper presented at the 29th Annual International Lilly Conference on College Teaching November, 2009; Miami, OH.

2. Why ‘Working Parenthood’ at a teaching conference? • Advising Students -- Affects women’s major/career choice -- Produces concern -- Job search consideration (for both) • Students have few models –no schema • Some students already parents • View instructors as role models • Relevant to course content for some • Personally important concern

3. Research on Students’ Beliefs • Student preference for both partners scaling back or arranging scheduling • Lower preferences for “supermom” scenario, outsourcing, and role reversal arrangements • Career commitment was related to higher beliefs in role-sharing and less traditional sex roles • Deutsch et al. 2007 Journal of Marriage & Family

4. Students’ Beliefs Cont’d • Female students rated their beliefs about motherhood and being a college-student (explicit attitudes) • They completed the Implicit Attitude Test (implicit attitudes) • Devos et al. 2007 Self & Identity

5. Students’ Beliefs Cont’d • Explicit identification =  college-student • Implicit identification =  motherhood • Devos et al. 2007 Self & Identity

6. Students’ Beliefs Cont’d • Students rated scenarios of a mother staying at home or going back to school after baby was born (also varied satisfaction w/ plan) • Mothers returning at 6 months were rated as more cold-hearted, arrogant-calculating, and less warm than S@H mothers • Satisfied S@H mothers were rated as more nurturing • Mottarella et al., 2009 Sex Roles

7. This Research • Extend our research from last year • Check on the level of concern of our students • Examine personality correlates with positive attitudes toward work-life balance • Find suggestions and ways to support informed planning

8. Answer these: 1. For most working parents I know, the child care and household work is done ____% by the mother and ____% by the father. 2. Working while parenting is by nature very stressful. 1 (strongly disagree) 2 3 4 5 (strongly agree) 3. I will find (have found) a very satisfying work/life balance. 1 (strongly disagree) 2 3 4 5 (strongly agree) 4. Most parents I know achieve a very satisfying work, family balance. 1 (strongly disagree) 2 3 4 5 (strongly agree) 5. Young adults should consider parenting while making career decisions. 1 (strongly disagree) 2 3 4 5 (strongly agree)

9. Survey

10. Survey Findings • 62% agree that “Most parents I know achieve a very satisfying work, family balance.” • 67% agree that “Parenting while both parents work is by nature very stressful.” • 80% agree that “I will find a very satisfying work and parenting balance.” • 69% agree that “Young adults should consider parenting when making career decisions.

11. What type of students are the most concerned about work/family balance?

12. 2008 Personality Correlates • Confidence in finding balance • Lower current stress • Better coping skills • Optimism • Conscientiousness • There are benefits to Mothers working • Lower current stress • Conscientiousness • Low perfectionism

13. Self-handicappingCreating or portraying obstacles to your own success

14. Self-handicapping examples • Public and Private • Pandocrin/Actovil study • In sports • Obesity • Alcoholism • Sports • Others?

15. Self-handicapping findings • Fathers participation in childcare in most families I know, r(98) = -.19, p = .06. • “I will find a satisfying work/family balance,” r(98) = -.21, p = .04. • Time management, r(100) = -.51, p = .00. • Rumination, r(100) = .32, p = .001.

16. RuminationOver-thinking creates depression

17. Rumination findings • My own career path has been affected by or will be affected by parenting, r(98) = -.20, p < .05. • Benefits of motherhood employment, r(100) = .28, p = .01. • Fear of negative evaluations, r(100) = .31, p = .002.

18. RuminationSuggestions for reducing • Thought stopping • Worry hours • Meditation • Journaling • Counseling • Social support

19. Fear of Negative Evaluation • “Shy” versus “Quiet” • Avoidant Personality disorder • Schizoid Personality disorder

20. Fear of Negative Evaluation Findings • Father participation in childcare, r(98) = -.26, p < .01. • “Most parents I know have a very satisfying work/family balance,” r(98) = .20, p < .05.

21. Hardiness • Commitment • Control • Challenge • (Kobasa, 1979)

22. Hardiness findings • Predicts finding benefits of motherhood, r(100) = .40, p = .00. • Related to knowing dads who help, r(98) = .20, p < .05. • Related to finding a work environment to accommodate family and I will achieve a satisfying balance, r’s = .24 and .21, p’s < .04.

23. Helping our students 1. Forum for discussion and consideration --Important for BOTH male and female students --Emphasize importance in partner selection --Give quiz (handout) 2. Career path information about A and B careers, describe off-ramps and on-ramps 3. Examples of professional role models 4. Positive descriptions of working parenthood

24. Helping our Students Cont’d 5. Cultivate skills/traits • Negotiation skills, esp. for women • Time management • Confidence in coping ability • Self-handicapping in school (habit may transfer) • Strategies for ruminators

25. Helping our Students Cont’d 6. Clarify media misconceptions relevant to your field • Day care studies and headlines • Child Development misconceptions • Delaying fertility

26. What can you do for students who are concerned about work/family balance?