Motherhood as a factor differentiating women’s careers

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the differences in the professional careers of women with and without children. Design/methodology/approach: The quantitative study was conducted using the survey method (CAWI) using an online questionnaire on a sample of 517 women. The survey included single- and multiple-choice and open-ended questions. The study lasted 9 months (February- October 2022) and included professionally active women working in medium-sized or large enterprises in south-eastern Poland. Findings: The obtained results indicate emerging significant differences between the surveyed women with children and women without children, in the context of professional career, preferences and activities undertaken for professional development. Professional career covers various spheres of life, including family, which means that motherhood has a significant impact on women's professional development. The higher education and age of women with children suggest the dominance of a conventional or dual career path. The age differences between the groups coincide with the trend of younger women giving up motherhood. Childless women are more likely to work in prestigious industries, while mothers value performing a prestigious profession. The average earnings of mothers are lower than those without children, but mothers are more likely to earn top wages. Childless women value continuous learning in their careers more. Women with children show a higher level of career satisfaction, which may reflect the modern approach to combining motherhood with professional work. Research limitations/implications: The research has limitations and the results cannot be generalized to the entire population. They only focus on certain aspects related to motherhood and women's careers, which could be expanded in future research. It is also suggested to study the differences between Polish regions and a longer analysis of the development of women's careers in various phases of professional life, especially those related to motherhood. Originality/value: Due to the very diverse approach to the topic of motherhood and careers, there are few studies relating to the differences in women's careers resulting from motherhood, and even fewer studies in this area are based in selected regions of Poland. Therefore, it seems justified to take up the topic of motherhood discussed in the article as a factor differentiating women's careers. Keywords: career, women's career, maternity, motherhood, work-life balance. Category of the paper: Research paper.