A Study to assess the Physical Growth in Children of Working and Non-Working Mothers

Abstract

Children of today are the citizens of tomorrow. Childhood is the period of rapid change in developmental, social, emotional, cognitive and linguistic abilities of the child. The mother continues to be the main person who cares for children. Employment of women has created number of problems for the development of children. A comparative study was conducted to assess the physical growth in children of working and non- working mothers in a selected community, Ludhiana, Punjab with objectives: To assess the physical growth in children of working and non- working mothers, To compare the physical growth in children of working and non-working mothers, To assess and compare the relationship of physical growth in children of working and non-working mothers with selected demographic variables and to prepare pamphlets. A non-experimental, comparative study was conducted in selected community of Ludhiana. The target population was children (3–5 years) of working and non- working mothers. 60 children were selected by purposive sampling technique. Data was collected by using self structured proforma. Data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics and presented through tables and figures. Findings revealed that majority of children of Non- working mothers had normal physical growth as compared to children of working mothers. While comparing the physical growth in children of working and non-working mothers three parameters of physical growth that is weight for age, height for age and mid arm circumference were found statistically significant and body mass index was found statistically non significant. In demographic variables mother's age, child's gender, birth order, and Type of Family had an impact on Weight for age, birth order had some impact on height for age. Family income had an effect on mid arm circumference and mother's age had impact on body mass index of children.