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The High Cost of Part-Time Work (+ working mom poll)
By MP Dunleavey Tuesday April 20, 2010
Work-family imbalance For working moms in search of that elusive work-life balance, part-time employment can look dreamy: You bring in some income, but still have time for your family, your home, maybe even (gasp) yourself.
In fact, 62% of working mothers said they would prefer part-time work, according to a survey last fall by the Pew Research Center; only 37% said they'd rather work full-time.
But men? Nearly 80% said they'd rather work full-time. That's a stark difference, and it reveals a lot.
Cost-benefit analysis
Some people argue that moms who choose to work part-time pay too high a financial price. Their earnings are lower, their retirement savings suffer, and their professional trajectory flattens.
Then again, full-time working moms may gain professionally and financially—but they also lose, thanks to the stress of laboring at home and in the workplace, as Business Week editor Anne Tergesen notes here.
And even when moms work full-time, they may still pay a penalty in lower earnings and a pervasive anti-mom bias, according to an eye-opening Stanford study (watch this video summary).
POLL! How do you work it, mom?
Hey working moms, or those about to be, tell us what you think about part-time vs. full-time work. Take our poll here.
Please pick the statement that best reflects your views. (Sorry, you can only pick one.)
Working Mom Poll
I work FT and I don't want to work PT; it would handicap my career and financial goals. - 19.3%
I work FT, but PT would be ideal. - 35.4%
I work PT, and it's fine financially and in terms of flexibility. - 13.2%
I work PT for the sake of flexibility, but I'm aware of the financial trade-offs. - 32.1%
Total votes: 393
The voting for this poll has ended on: 19 May 2010 - 11:15
Comments
(28)
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Written by Amy Biviano, April 20, 2010
As a CPA specializing in tax, I work part time in the off season and more than full time in the busy season. I definitely see the difference in my family time and the stark trade offs both personally and financially. I wish I could work full time and have the greater career -- I'm angry that my husband more than doubles my salary. That said, when I look at the bottom line of working part time, the overall difference after child care, food and transportation costs was incredibly minimal. Now, I just need to find a firm that will compensate me fairly.
Written by Dreamcatcher09, April 20, 2010
I work full-time, am now a single mom, and am thinking about a second job, so I can hurry and pay off my debt.
Written by BusyMom, April 20, 2010
I'm firmly entrenched in the sandwich generation. I've got children at home to raise, & parents who frequently need help. I'd probably not be able to give my best to a full-time job right now--I do enough running around for 2 people to keep up with everything after I leave my part-time job. Definitely don't need any more stress than I already have. Hope one day to be able to get back to contributing to my retirement fund, but with my current circumstances, that's not an option. Parents also unwilling to move out of home into assisted living, so right now I'm stuck.
Written by Tanya, April 20, 2010
I am a single mom of a six year old son. I work full-time and I have a (hopefully temporary) part-time job on the side. Although I wish I could have more flexibility with my schedule while my son is on break from school, I prefer to have my full-time job. I'll admit that when things get hectic at home, I wish I had less of a work load to dedicate more time to my son. Those are times that I tell myself that I am working toward a better future where I will not need the part-time job.
Written by Amanda, April 20, 2010
I am full-time self-employed (not an option in the poll), which comes with its own stresses and challenges. I love running my own business, however professionally, it certainly is not the same (mostly due to many people's perspective that when a mother says she's freelance, it's code for stay-at-home mum). Also, financially (in terms of benefits and pensions), I am at a disadvantage. That said, it does allow for a lot of flexibility, which I and my family love!
Written by Pattie Simone, April 20, 2010
I've been trying to achieve "work/life balance" since forever (well at least since October of 1988) when I started my first entrepreneurial venture a couple months after giving birth to my second child. Although it has been a roller-caster ride at times (my 3 are now 23, 22 and 20) since I made that leap so long ago, my work choices have always been kid-centric, not career-centric ones. Although it's been rough at times, I would not trade higher earnings with the quality time I had with my kids as they were growing up. That said - my efforts are supercharged now, as I've got some catching up to do!
Written by Pattie Simone, April 20, 2010
I've been trying to achieve "work/life balance" since forever (well at least since October of 1988) when I started my first entrepreneurial venture a couple months after giving birth to my second child. Although it has been a roller-caster ride at times (my 3 are now 23, 22 and 20) since I made that leap so long ago, my work choices have always been kid-centric, not career-centric ones. Although it's been rough at times, I would not trade higher earnings with the quality time I had with my kids as they were growing up. That said - my efforts are supercharged now, as I've got some catching up to do!
Written by Lisa Sam, April 20, 2010
Single parent. Two jobs but I work at home so at least I have some flexibility.
Lisa
www.singleparentsavings.wordpress.com
Lisa
www.singleparentsavings.wordpress.com
Written by k, April 20, 2010
I am not a mother yet but I grew up with two full time working parents. They made that decision early on so that we could have advantages that would not necessarily be as available if they made less income. I don't think I suffered any less family time in result of this and I remember a home made family dinner every night. Kudos to all moms that attempt this. And Kudos to all moms in general!
Written by Sunny, April 20, 2010
I started my own business (again) to gain flexibility. I feel like my business has the potential to earn more than if I worked PT for another company, but it isn't there yet. Of course, when you own your own biz, you tend to put in even more hours - after all, the office is right there in the spare BR! I have found that "me" time is non-existent, and that balance is seriously elusive.
www.SunnySaves.com
www.SunnySaves.com
Written by Liz Burdick, April 20, 2010
As the single parent of a special needs son and a typical daughter, I struggle with the balance. The cost of child care is so high for my son that it almost makes working a luxury. (my Salary would be in the mid 50's) Looking around at my friends I will say that those mums who worked part time and kept their careers going while their kids were small seem to have the best of both worlds. I think it depends a lot on having the support of your spouse.
I will encourage my daughter to always keep working at some level when she is a parent.
I will encourage my daughter to always keep working at some level when she is a parent.
Written by Carol, April 20, 2010
Nowhere in your cost benefit analysis did you mention the satisfaction of spending time with and taking care of the needs of the children to whom a woman has decided to give birth! I was a stay at home mom, so I admit I'm biased but I also realize not everyone has the good fortune to do that and not only that, it's just not what every woman would prefer to do.
That's all ok, but you need to factor the kids into the equation and the conversation, that's all.
Once kids are added to the picture, the balancing act becomes very delicate indeed, calling on the resources of the husbands as well, as noted by the commenter above. It's not just up to women to make it happen.
That's all ok, but you need to factor the kids into the equation and the conversation, that's all.
Once kids are added to the picture, the balancing act becomes very delicate indeed, calling on the resources of the husbands as well, as noted by the commenter above. It's not just up to women to make it happen.
Written by Kenia, April 20, 2010
I won't be a mom for a few years yet, but I've got a long-term boyfriend who has mentioned being willing to stay home if my business takes off and I make lots more money. ;) That said, I think I definitely notice a drastic cultural/social perspective shift between the oldest, the 'sandwich,' and the youngest (me) generations. The women's movement really got started in the 70s, and all those young adult men from the 70's who had already grown into young men with the more traditional gender thoughts, are now the higher-ups in companies, still calling the shots, still [consciusly or subconsciously] having sexist views on the value of a working woman who is a mom, and even worst views on the working mom who is part time. Then enter the youngest generation (mine), and although some of them still hold more traditional views (as they were raised with those views), I feel that those views are shifting, and that we are making progress. This work-life balance thing is hard because the husbands and boyfriends of our lives (or non-existant fathers) tend to still throw most of the domestic weight on our shoulders. But that has been changing, and I believe it will continue to change. In the meantime, while I wait for that change, maybe I'll move to Europe where no one works such insane hours and they take 2 hour siesta breaks everyday. That sounds like great work-life balance to me!!!! I honestly think we're just too workaholic in this country. Who in the hell decided that 40 hours was the 'norm' anyway? I just don't think it's natural - I feel exhausted all the time, and I'm single with no kids!
Written by Kenia, April 20, 2010
Oh yeah, both my parents were full time, and my mom always had a full home-cooked meal on the table everyday. I don't know how she did it, but I am in awe. My hats off to all you working mothers out there. You're amazing!
Written by Amanda, April 20, 2010
My Mom stayed at home with my brother until he was like 10, and me until I was 4, when she decided to go back to school and then to work full time once she got a degree in nursing.
We were lucky enough to live about a mile from my Grandparents growing up, so when Mom went to school and then worked nights her first year out of nursing school (my dad drove semi), that we spent the majority of our time with them. Otherwise, I don't know how my parents would have made it.
I certainly know that there seems to be a BIG difference between kids who have that time with their parents - even part time - and those who don't.
We were lucky enough to live about a mile from my Grandparents growing up, so when Mom went to school and then worked nights her first year out of nursing school (my dad drove semi), that we spent the majority of our time with them. Otherwise, I don't know how my parents would have made it.
I certainly know that there seems to be a BIG difference between kids who have that time with their parents - even part time - and those who don't.
Written by Kenia, April 20, 2010
ha, ok ok, one more comment. Just an observation on the full-time working men of the world with families...here we are talking about chasing this work-life balance, but I don't think any of those men have it. If they're busy working 50-60 hour work weeks at high paying jobs, then they're obviously not making enough time for quality father time with their kids. Do men ever lament or worry about a lack of work-life balance? It seems to me they lack it, but I don't ever hear any of them think of it as a bad thing....thoughts anyone?
Written by Katie, April 20, 2010
I'm surprised not to see more comments from Moms like me who used to be SAHM but had to go back to work full-time and are NOT happy with it. My husband and I both come home very tired, which can make us short-tempered with our kids - I try to cook home-made meals all the time, and still participate in their activities, and be there for them (as does my husband), but between work, housework (and my husband is an equal partner in that), cooking, etc., it's too much. I'm totally overwhelmed and trying to figure out how to budget for moving to part time work. It would be worth it to me to have more time with my kids.
Written by Sarah Estes Graham, April 20, 2010
Agreeing with Kenia - I nearly died when I found out that 12-14 month maternity leaves were the norm in many European countries. I definitely worry that we've sold our souls to the Gods of capitalism at times--I'm ambitious/driven to a point, but don't really want to get sucked into 50-60+ hr work weeks trying to convince binary minded male superiors that a person (woman especially) can be more than one thing (duh!!). There is some depressing social psych research on the competence-care tradeoff for women. Here's a version of it as applies to lawyers. Just get tired of dealing with all the office politics cr*p on top of everything else...http://www.womensbar.org/images/ecc_patterns.pdf
This isn't terribly solution based - just saying that Americans are a pretty workaholic nation and a little rebellion in the form of reclaiming your life (albeit a less lucrative one) could also be seen as an act of courage and wisdom, not just capitulation. sigh. This also only applies to people with some financial wiggle room.
This isn't terribly solution based - just saying that Americans are a pretty workaholic nation and a little rebellion in the form of reclaiming your life (albeit a less lucrative one) could also be seen as an act of courage and wisdom, not just capitulation. sigh. This also only applies to people with some financial wiggle room.
Written by bananamama, April 20, 2010
I work full-time and I'm a single mom with an 11-month old daughter. We are very lucky in that she gets to come to work with me - and has done every day since she was 2 months old. We have our own private office / nursery for breastfeeding, etc and it works out quite well. Because she is so easy-going, there are few instances where having her with me keeps me from doing my job, she even comes to the gym with me every day!
That said, I am now beginning to research part time daycare for her, both in order to free me up a little and because it'll probably be a lot more fun for her.
That said, I am now beginning to research part time daycare for her, both in order to free me up a little and because it'll probably be a lot more fun for her.
Written by Karla, April 20, 2010
Whether working full-time or part-time as a parent, it is important to do the math. Depending on your earnings, what do you really bring home after you pay the cost of working? i.e., childcare, work clothing, gas, bought lunches etc etc. There is also less time to focus on budgeting when your life is non-stop. But if you do decide to stay home (and can) be sure you don't lose who you are and Dora The Explorer becomes your best friend. Find creative ways to still get out and socialize with adults. Take a hobby class, volunteer or continue your college education. Just my 2 cents
Written by Jessica, April 20, 2010
I prefer full-time work and have a much higher earning ability than my husband. What I don't like is that my duties at home don't shrink which really cuts into baby time. I would like to delegate more household tasks to my husband and/or outsource some to a housekeeper.
Written by Jaime, April 20, 2010
This discussion reminds me of the book, "Feminine Mistake" by Leslie Bennetts. This book looks at the issue from a purely financial point of view. It does not discount other reasons to want to stay at home or work part-time, it just doesn't look at anything but finances.
I've always agreed with the thinking that if it costs more in daycare than you can make in your salary, then it makes sense (financially) to stay home if you want to do that. However, one thing I never thought about that is addressed in the book is social security earnings. Most of the book is written from the perspective of fairly high wage earners, but part of its nod to lower income families is the fact that if you're planning on relying (even in part) on social security earnings, the less you work the less you'll draw.
Honestly, I was flabbergasted by that thought. I think we all know most of the financial risks that can happen if a spouse dies or you get divorced and you're dependent on their income, but I never thought about that facet of retirement.
My mom was a SAHM and she's a great mom, but I'm ambivalent about it myself. I don't have kids (or a partner) so it's a non-issue, but I think I'd always choose to work. I just don't think I could put that much trust in someone else. On the flip side, I don't think it would bother me if I had a husband and he wanted to stay home with the kids.
I don't think we'll see too much change to the perspective people have toward SAHM or p/t mommy workers until more men join the ranks. Same with maternity leave.
I've always agreed with the thinking that if it costs more in daycare than you can make in your salary, then it makes sense (financially) to stay home if you want to do that. However, one thing I never thought about that is addressed in the book is social security earnings. Most of the book is written from the perspective of fairly high wage earners, but part of its nod to lower income families is the fact that if you're planning on relying (even in part) on social security earnings, the less you work the less you'll draw.
Honestly, I was flabbergasted by that thought. I think we all know most of the financial risks that can happen if a spouse dies or you get divorced and you're dependent on their income, but I never thought about that facet of retirement.
My mom was a SAHM and she's a great mom, but I'm ambivalent about it myself. I don't have kids (or a partner) so it's a non-issue, but I think I'd always choose to work. I just don't think I could put that much trust in someone else. On the flip side, I don't think it would bother me if I had a husband and he wanted to stay home with the kids.
I don't think we'll see too much change to the perspective people have toward SAHM or p/t mommy workers until more men join the ranks. Same with maternity leave.
Written by Home Office Mommy, April 20, 2010
Hello MP,
I was so moved by this post and all the well thought out feedback that I posted your video and a credit to you on my online magazine http://www.homeofficemommy.com...zine.html. It's about time we started addressing a mother's right to choose and others to respect her for it.
Believe well!
Adelaide Zindler
http://www.HomeOfficeMommy.com
I was so moved by this post and all the well thought out feedback that I posted your video and a credit to you on my online magazine http://www.homeofficemommy.com...zine.html. It's about time we started addressing a mother's right to choose and others to respect her for it.
Believe well!
Adelaide Zindler
http://www.HomeOfficeMommy.com
Written by Home Office Mommy, April 20, 2010
Sorry mistyped the site address http://www.homeofficemommy.com...azine.html
Written by Patti , April 21, 2010
I enjoy working part-time from home. My mom helps with our 3-year-old, so I can keep one foot in my career. For the various reasons already mentioned, this is a good strategy that makes sense for now. But ... I do sometimes wonder why I bother because I lose so much to taxes. This year I lost 49 percent. As a writer, I don't have a lot of write-offs and deductions. My husband has a good job, which is great, but that puts me in a higher bracket so we get to keep less of what I bring in. It's dispiriting. I am using a SEP IRA to ease my tax burden and considering converting from an LLC to an S-Corp, but I still feel at times I am working myself into a frenzy and losing out on time with my child ultimately for a small sum of money.
Written by Stephanie, April 21, 2010
I have worked part-time for the past 9 years. I originally started at my job as full-time but after the birth of my 2nd child I started seeking more time with my children. As my 1st child entered 1st grade, I was fortunate to have a boss who allowed me to negotiate my work schedule. For the past 9 years, I have been working from 8:00 - 2:00, a schedule that allows me ample time to get my work done plus be able to take my children to school and pick them up from school.
I realize that my position is probably a rareity, as I did not take a cut in pay or benefits when I cut my hours back. However, I haven't received a significant pay raise since then either. I love my job most days and I feel that the time it allows me to have with my children is a blessing that far outweighs any financial gain.
I realize that my position is probably a rareity, as I did not take a cut in pay or benefits when I cut my hours back. However, I haven't received a significant pay raise since then either. I love my job most days and I feel that the time it allows me to have with my children is a blessing that far outweighs any financial gain.
Written by Emily Logan, April 22, 2010
By day I am a full time worker bee and by night I kick off my heels and grab my school bag for full time classes, often leaving my house at 6:30am and arriving home after 10pm. I do not have kids but in place I have an incredibly needy house that screams daily for financial and aesthetic TLC. I'm realizing now that while the cost of the house was low (it was a foreclosure) the cost of the personal time needed to go into it is astronomical. (HGTV gave me delusions of doing everything in 30 minutes for CHEAP, FYI they fibbed.) So, in my free time do I study, paint, fix things, clean, spent time with animals, see a friend (if I have any left), work out, attend church or any other activity and oh yes there is this man who sleeps next to me at night, he says he’s my boyfriend (should I believe him and cut a slice of time for him too) and how do I do all this without my grumpy pants strapped on like leather? Even without the kids I can’t seem to find balance and I'm still exhausted! How is it done? I'm 27 and the older I get the less I think about kids. The thought of adding ANYTHING else into the mix makes me tired.
Written by j4p3methe, May 01, 2010
Really proficient post. Theoretically I could write something like this too, but taking the time and effort to make a good article is a lot of effort…but what can I say….I’m a procrastinater. Good read though.
