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September 29, 2006
Are mothers working less?
The movement of mothers into the paid workforce has been one of the biggest changes we've seen over the last 50 years. But N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says the trend is changing.
"Just to give you some history and perspective, the percentage of married mothers in the paid labor force rose from only 39% in 1970 up to 71% in the year 2000, but since then there's been a slight decline," he says. "First time in almost 30 years, the rate of mothers being in the paid labor force has gone down from 71% in 2000 down to 68% in 2004.
"Now a lot of questions about why, and there are many possible reasons: One may be related to delayed childbirth. One may be related to women perhaps re-evaluating their role, whether they can balance career and raising children," he adds.
"But regardless we have seen a reversal of this trend for the first time in over 30 years."
Posted by deeshore at September 29, 2006 08:06 AM