WORKING AND NONWORKING MOTHERS AND THEIR INFANTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MATERNAL CAREGIVING CHARACTERISTICS AND INFANT SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

摘要: As more mothers of infants enter the work force, behavioral scientists and concerned laymen raise questions about effective ness working mother in her maternal role im pact employment (and subsequent nonmaternal care) on infant. Although issue whether should or not is critical concern, personal opinions many are readily published available, little empirical information avail able to guide individual decisions public policy. Conflicting view points confuse even most well-informed scientists. Some major theorists believe that separation infant first year life has a detrimental effect developing mother-infant relationship (e.g., Baer, 1954; Bowlby, 1951). suggest stresses outside impair mother's functioning role: Myrdal Klein (1966) discuss possibility serious conflict between demands worker role. Representatives opposing viewpoint an fant's experiences care may be enriching enhance cognitive social development. Furthermore, Ricciuti writes, . it felt, availability good substitute home might child since would facilitate fulfillment own career