Critical Controversies in Psychology

Critical Controversies in Psychology

Abstract

This paper deals with the issue of working and stay-at-home Mothers and any negative effects on the child. The question does not revolve on whether the Mother should work or not. Focusing on the child’s needs is the most important. Working through personal issues of guilt will ensure the Mother meets the child’s needs.

Critical Controversies in Psychology

The working woman in the United States makes up a ratio of 64.4 of the working population in 2011 (BLS, 2011). This population deals with controversy concerning parenthood and working. These controversies not only involve working, paying bills but also what effects working away from the home have on the child.

Working Mothers

Women leaving the home for work began in the early 1900 and became one of society’s main issues (Saadat, 2009). The change from maintaining the home, nurturing the children, and taking care of one’s husband evolved into searching for outside of the home for monetary compensation and self-worth. Currently the working Mother has to deal with more than moving up the ladder.

A negative stigma follows these Mothers who work outside of the home. Whether not the individual is working for need or wants, other Mothers question the reasoning for this life choice. More often the implication is the Mothers’ work comes before the needs of the child (Hennessy, 2009). The outsider has no clue regarding the reasoning for working or the motives behind the career, but the negativity does fill the working Mother with guilt.

Stay-at-Home

The other side of the controversy involves those Mothers who work within the home. These women are with the children the majority of the day. Not all women who stay-at-home are in a financial position to do so. Hennessy (2009) reports that Mother’s believe the right whether to work or care for small children should remain the Mother’s right and choice. This choice should be financially...