Driven Women: The Twists and Turns of

Childbirth on Women’s Career Choices

By: Maribeth L. SarneckiDecember 4, 2006

Overview: Introduction Literature Review Theory Method Findings Discussion

Thesis The purpose of this paper is to examine

the social choices of Saint Mary’s College Alumnae regarding career choices made after the birth of their first child.

Literature Review Work Policy FMLA

US Congress (1993) Ruhm (1997) Klerman and Leibowitz (1999) Gornich, Meyers and Ross (1996)

Attitudes and Choices Edwards (2002) Cerkanovich, Giordano, Groat,

Pugh and Swineford (1997) Hoffnung (2001)

Childcare Gornich, Meyers and Ross (1996) Kurts-Costes and Punghello (2000)

Roles after first birth Klerman and Leibowitz (1999) Gornich, Meyers and Ross (1996) Vandenheuvel (1997) Budig and England (2001)

Feminist Theory Betty Friedan

The Problem that has no name (1963)

Methods: Participants

308 Saint Mary’s College Alumnae contacted form a list provided by the Saint Mary’s College Alumnae Relations Office

Matched criteria of:1. Graduated from Saint Mary’s College between the years of

1995 and 20052. Have given birth to at least one child since graduation

85 responses (27%)

Methods: Participant DemographicsPost Bachelors Degree

Out of 36 responses

Masters 21 (63%)

MBA 2 (6%)

MD’s 2 (6%)

JD 2 (6%)

Religious Affiliation Out of 80 responses

Catholic 77 (96%)

Catholic/Episcolian 1(1%)

Protestant 1(1%)

Methodist 1(1%)

Lutheran 1(1%)

Leading Occupations

Out of 77 responses

Business 10 (11%)

Education 15 (17%)

Homemaker 25 (29%)

Other 15 (17%)

Average Age

Alumnae Spouse

@ marriage 24.5 yrs. 26.96 yrs.

@ first child’s birth

27.18 yrs. 29.24 yrs.

Method: Procedures Contacted 308 Saint Mary’s College Alumnae via email who

graduated between the years of 1995 and 2005 and have given birth to atleast one child since graduation from a list provided by the Saint Mary’s College Alumnae Relations Office

Online survey conducted at surveymonkey.com

Eight-five multiple choice and open-ended question

Research Question

What Social Factors impact the career choice of Saint Mary’s College Alumnae after the birth of their first child?

Findings: Based on Maternity Leave

Based on Maternity leave Responded % of 85

Alumnae employed at time of birth 74 84%

Alumnae were allowed to take of the amount of maternity leave wanted

31 36%

Alumnae employer were flexible with the amount of time off through maternity leave

40 47%

Alumnae employers were not flexible with their amount of time off through maternity leave

9 10%

Maternity leave offered lasted 0-16 weeks 54 63%

Alumnae returned to work when their maternity leave was up

36 42%

Alumnae did not return to work after their maternity leave was up

30 35%

Alumnae are currently employed 48 56.4%

3

20 19

12

24

0

5

10

15

20

25

0-4 weeks4-8 weeks 8-12weeks

12-16weeks

other

Maternity Leaveoffered by Employer(in weeks)

Findings: Maternity Leave

12.5 weeks was the average amount of time taken off for maternity leave

Findings: Working Mothers and Stay-at-Home Mothers

39

17 159

0

10

20

30

40

Financial Personal Career Goals Other

Deciding Factors on Returning to Work

Deciding Factors

Findings: Working Mothers and Stay-at-Home Mothers

Acceptance of Decision

100%

0

95%

5%

98.80%

1.20%

97.30%

2.70%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Spouse Family Friends Employers

Acceptance of Career Decision

Accepting Unaccepting

Discussion Parent/Child Relationships

Finances

Questions???