are working moms happier?
Photo Credit:Jaroslaw Wojcik
According to a 2007 study done in the UK, moms are “significantly happier” if they work. The study surveyed 3856 couples from the British Household Survey Panel and asked both women and men to judge their life satisfaction as it related to work.
Interestingly, both working parents (father and mother) reported greater life satisfaction when they worked. Men’s overall life satisfaction was greatest when they were employed in full time work but did not have to work overtime.
Women’s life satifaction was not dependent on the number of hours worked and the study concluded that moms are significantly happier when they work. The reasons given for this happiness/work correlation are increased social interaction, prestige, social status and self-esteem. There was some indication that women preferred part time work as it fits better with their family responsibilities, but whether a women worked part time or full time did not affect overall life satisfaction.
Speaking for myself, returning to school has had a positive effect on my own happiness for many of the reasons cited in the study. The broadsheet blog on Salon.com reflected on this issue stirring up the old controversy of which choice, home or work, makes women happier. I do not look at this issue as an either/or situation, i.e., happy at work or happy at home. Having stimulating work outside of the home has enhanced my life and enriched the lives of my family. And yes, what makes me happy may not make you happy.
