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Title: Less Help for Mother: The Decline in Coresidential Female Support for the Mothers of Young Children, 1880-2000

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2006

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Abstract: Research on changes in women parenting has focused primarily on their increased likelihood of combining parenthood with paid employment, exploring the pressures that result from this "second shift" or "double burden." This article complements this approach by focusing instead on the likely reduction in the help that mothers of small children have received as declines both infertility and the coresidence of nonnuclear adults have reduced the number of other women in the household. Using national census data for the period 1880 to 2000, we show a substantial decline in the presence and availability of other females in the household, as fewer are co-resident and more of those who are coresident are employed or in school. Although all mothers experience this decline, it is most acute for mothers working for pay in nonagricultural activities.

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Authors: Short, Susan E.; Torr, Berna M.; Goldscheider, Frances K.

Periodical (Full): Demography

Issue: 4

Volume: 43

Pages: 617-629

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Family and Marriage, Poverty and Welfare

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