Study Reports Some Surprising Findings About Our Nation’s Mothers

Americans say a parent at home is best: 

Despite the obvious financial difficulties of living on one income, more than 60 percent of all Americans polled say that having a parent at home full-time is the best scenario for the well-being of the child.

Thirty-five percent say that children are just as well off with both parents working outside the home, and this can certainly be true with quality childcare and parents who put forth the effort to find quality time with their children, even when they are balancing family with a career.

When broken down, the findings further indicate different opinions dependent on religious beliefs, culture, and education.

Surprisingly, over 65 percent of all men polled believe kids should have a stay-at-home parent.  Even when men are faced with bearing the brunt of the earning most of the household income, if it were possible, they would prefer their wives be able to stay home with the kids.

Fifty-five percent of women (yes, less than men!) believe one parent should be home when kids are young.

Cultural backgrounds affect the numbers, as well, especially in Hispanic families whose culture typically reflects mothers staying home with their young children.

It appears that the more educated parents are, the less they believe a stay-at-home parent is mandatory.  Nearly 70 percent of those polled who only had a high-school degree thought moms should be home with their kids full-time.  Those numbers drop dramatically to only 50 percent if the parents have a college or graduate degree.

This is attributed to those with more schooling opting to put their education and training into careers, and therefore are the group who depend on alternate forms of childcare while they work full-time.