by Daniel Pu
Abstract
The sharp rise in maternal employment in the recent decade may have unintended consequences for child development. Previous research has shown the negative impacts of maternal employment during early childhood on child cognitive development. However, no studies have investigated the long term effects of maternal employment. This study fills this void and investigates the effect of maternal employment on adolescent youth (age 12-16). Following Christopher Ruhm’s model, this paper analyzed 1444 youth using the 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Results show no negative impact of maternal employment on child development. However, sex, race, child health, family income, parents’ education, and family environment were significant factors in determining child outcome.
Professor Michelle Connolly, Faculty Advisor
