Working Mother and Parenting Practices: A Sociological Study of Development Workers

Abstract

The topic of the thesis is “Working Mother and Parenting Practices, A Sociological Study of Development Worker”. The main objectives of the research is: i) to identify the affecting determinants of combining professional-personal life and parenting practices of working mother. The design of the study is quantitative and qualitative both in nature. The researcher has used convenience sampling method to select the working mother of development field especially solely related with INGOs. Data in this study were collected using email (structured) questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) because of its simplicity and easier. The result obtained was also presented using frequency table, cross table, bar graph, pie chart and descriptive statistics (mean value) as required. Traditional gender roles portray men as breadwinners and women as caretakers but these roles are slowly changing due to the increase in dual earner families. However, working mothers continue to be more closely associated with parenting practices then employed fathers. Working mothers face a unique bind between their personal and professional expectations. Yet, the affecting determinants has been the subject of the rigorous study. Result of this study shows that even as more women than ever work for pay, they continue to bear a disproportionate burden of caregiving work for defendant family members. Changing family structure, with fewer extended families and high levels of single-parent households, urbanization and national and international migration have also diminished traditional and informal support mechanism. Lack or inadequacy of public transport services to work or of social services, provision of drinking water and electricity is lacking, especially compelling women to secure these goods; has also been found to exacerbate, while also affecting workers well-being and productivity. Family responsibilities and child care appear to constitute a barrier to working mothers and to good-quality jobs while. Even when childcare and pre-primary education are available, they often do not meet the needs of working mothers in terms of costs and functional hours. Simultaneously, unpredictable working hours and nonstandard work schedule, has also put considerable strain on working mothers which

adversely

effects on workers wellbeing. Better favorable work-place policy regards gender, leave, job security, non-wage benefit, social protection, career advancement and training were found implemented to help respondents in the discharge of their duties as professional and mothers at the same time. Guided by the concepts of intensive mothering ideology, the research assess the positive parenting practices. The intensive mothering ideology describes mothers as solely dedicated to children and family with little self-interest. However guided by this ideology, overall finding indicate that working mothers are being influenced by social desirability (the desire to be viewed as both a competent mother and worker) and there needs to be better mother, such as investing their income provides financial resources to their children. Positive parenting found practiced their best in terms of attachment, supervision and warmth, will help to build better relation of mother and children .Positive parenting and quality time that only an upgrading of maternal child relations will lead to better child growth and career , is very laudable because it gives no room for complacency among development worker mother. This findings appears to indicate that even though employee- friendly environment and work favorable policy/ practices exist in their organization, a more family sacrifices, supportive spouse and atmosphere would be a relief since the aim of obtaining the best of or ensuring the best combination of professional personal life cannot be achieved.