Women's determination to combine childbearing and paid employment: How can a qualitative approach help us understand quantitative evidence?

摘要: This paper aims to provide deeper insight into women’s fertility and employment decisions through the exploration of values beliefs. For our research, we selected Poland, where quantitative studies continuously point a strong determination among mothers participate in employment, despite marked institutional obstacles combining work with childrearing. We demonstrated that motherhood is one major goals lives. Nevertheless, women seek combine it their ability do so depends on meaning attached paid work. Using qualitative data, identified three such meanings. “Work as an income source” “work attractive activity” are considered desirable compatible motherhood, whereas professional career” precludes childrearing, rejected. In addition, study illustrates how considering beliefs can contribute understanding human behaviours, demonstrates usefulness approach for this purpose.