A Within-Industry Comparison of Employed Mothers' Experiences in Small and Large Workplaces

Abstract

This research focuses on links between mothers' perceptions of their parenting practices, their parenting values, and their children's behavior and the work conditions they experience in small and large workplaces. We explored both direct and indirect (via work-family tension) relationships. We found significant relationships between work conditions and parenting, and significant differences between small and large workplaces, even when background characteristics were controlled. In larger workplaces, work conditions reflecting structural and hierarchical aspects of work were more likely to be related to parenting: schedule demands, supervision, and benefits. In smaller workplaces, work conditions reflecting the process of completing work tasks were more likely to be associated with parenting; these were substantive complexity of work and relationships with coworkers.