Beyond the Superwoman Syndrome: Work Satisfaction and Family Functioning among Working-Class, Mexican American Women

Abstract

The "superwoman syndrome" developed as a result of the mistaken belief that women's participation in outside employment was not to come at a cost to their homemaker responsibilities. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether a "superwoman mentality" existed among working-class, Mexican American women in dualearner families. The present study investigated the interaction of sex-role attitudes, the division of household and child-care responsibilities, role strain, work satisfaction, and family functioning among working-class Mexican American women in dual-earner families. Findings from the present study indicate that Mexican American women do not subscribe to the superwoman myth. Instead, they seem to endorse an expansion of the husbands' roles to include housework and child care. The economic and social changes of the past several decades have influenced patterns of work and family. Married women have entered the labor force en masse. Their employment outside the home has resulted in both financial gains for families and increased opportunities for women. Previously, women's contributions to the family and society came primarily through their homemaker responsibilities. Wives' participation in the labor force has allowed them to contribute economic resources as well. Outside employment permits women to expand their roles to include those of the working and professional woman.