Changing assumptions and contingent solutions: The costs and benefits of women working full- and part-time

Abstract

Women in occupations traditionally dominated by males are seeking part-time work schedules and they are sometimes regarded as being on the “mommy track.” A survey was conducted of 315 predominantly white women working part- or full-time in male-dominated professions (law, executives), female-dominated professions (nursing, elementary education), and nonprofessional jobs (clerical, retail sales). Part-time working women reported exclusion from organizational, interpersonal, and skill enhancement opportunities and part-time professionals reported a greater risk of layoff than full-time colleagues. However, they also reported greater happiness at home and work, greater satisfaction with their jobs and children, and comparable marriage satisfaction and personal satisfaction with work compared with full-time working women. Women working part-time did not report lower role conflict and role overload than full-time working women. Consideration is given to the benefits, limits, and consequences of part-time work for women, including questions concerning the ability to get back on track.