Could the Recession Impact The Number of Stay-At- Home Moms?

Online, October 1, 2009 (Newswire.com) - The US Census released a report yesterday on stay-at-home moms. But the recession may alter the conclusions of this report. This is the first time the US Census has conducted an analysis on this demographic.

A stay-at-home mom is defined as having one child under age 15 with a spouse who works all 52 weeks of the year. The report is based on 2007 data and found that "nearly one-quarter of all married-couple families in the USA had a stay-at-home mom in 2007."

The reasons for staying at home include illness or disability, retirement, caring for home and family, going to school, or not finding work.

Due to the recession and other economic conditions, this demographic may change. Many moms who want to stay at home may not be able to because of economic factors.

"A significant number of those [stay-at-home moms] in 2007 are no longer in that category," according to Joanne Brundage, founder of Mothers & More.

Kathryn Yount, an Emory University Associate Professor of Sociology agrees. "Women are forced to go into the labor force and become the primary breadwinner. It may lead to temporary shifts in norms about family roles, and it may lead to permanent shifts as well."

Some moms, however, are deciding to work from home as an alternative to entering the work force.

When asked why she decided to stay at home instead of continuing to work after she retired from the military, Yolanda Allen said, "I've always wanted to be around for my kids, especially when they became teenagers. Working from home gives me the opportunity to still contribute to our household without being tied to the demands of a traditional job. It [working from home] gives me a lot more flexibility."

The full impact of the recession on this demographic may not be fully understood until the next census. Until then, moms who want to stay at home will have to consider all their alternatives.

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