The good-mother stereotype: Stay at home (or wish that you did!)

    Authors

    K. A. Gorman;B. A. Fritzsche

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Appl. Soc. Psychol.

    Keywords

    COLLEGE-STUDENTS PERCEPTIONS; MATERNAL ROLE SATISFACTION; CHILD-REARING; PATTERN; EMPLOYMENT STATUS; MARITAL-STATUS; GENDER STEREOTYPES; BEHAVIOR; Psychology, Social

    Abstract

    This study extends prior research on the good-mother stereotype by examining the influence of mothers' role satisfaction on perceptions. Students read a brief description of a mother and rated her commitment to motherhood and communality. As predicted, the mother who remained home with her child and who was satisfied with staying home was rated higher than was the dissatisfied stay-at-home mother. However, the continuously employed mother who was satisfied with working outside of the home was perceived as less committed to motherhood and less selfless than was the dissatisfied, employed mother. The results are discussed in the context of Russo's (1976) analysis of the motherhood mandate and Eagly and Steffen's (1984) theory of gender stereotypes. Implications for career-oriented mothers are examined.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Applied Social Psychology

    Volume

    32

    Issue/Number

    10

    Publication Date

    1-1-2002

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    2190

    Last Page

    2201

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000180581000009

    ISSN

    0021-9029

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