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Motherhood, Employment, and Life Satisfaction: Trends in Germany Between 1984 and 2015
Author(s) -
Preisner Klaus,
Neuberger Franz,
Posselt Lukas,
Kratz Fabian
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of marriage and family
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.578
H-Index - 159
eISSN - 1741-3737
pISSN - 0022-2445
DOI - 10.1111/jomf.12518
Subject(s) - life satisfaction , intrapersonal communication , happiness , normative , interpersonal communication , psychology , interpersonal relationship , job satisfaction , german , social psychology , developmental psychology , political science , geography , archaeology , law
Objective This article analyzes trends in the relationships among motherhood, employment, and life satisfaction in Germany and regresses them on changing motherhood norms. Background Motherhood norms have changed in recent decades in Germany, and differences in labor force participation between mothers and women without children have decreased. We research whether differences in life satisfaction have decreased at the same time. Method Analyses are based on the German Socio‐Economic Panel (1984–2015) and restricted to women aged 16 to 45 ( N = 18,238). A series of hybrid panel regressions was used to determine intrapersonal and interpersonal motherhood and employment effects on life satisfaction over decades. Polynomial regressions were used to relate these effects to changing motherhood norms. Results The negative effects of motherhood on life satisfaction are less prevalent today than they were in the past. The interpersonal maternal happiness gap has disappeared, and the intrapersonal motherhood effect on life satisfaction has increased during the past decades. Conclusion As restrictive social norms for maternal employment have lost ground, the transition to motherhood has become increasingly conducive to life satisfaction for both working and nonworking mothers. Implication Normative and public support of women's freedom to choose among different motherhood roles is key to reducing financial and time pressures of mothers and thereby increasing maternal life satisfaction. Further support is needed for mothers without partners or jobs.