For the first time in three decades more moms are staying home with their kids full time, but it’s not necessarily because they can afford to.
A Pew Research Center study shows the number of moms who stay home with children under the age of 18 increased from 23% in 1999 to 29% in 2012. (Via Wikimedia commons / Vera Kratochvil)
What’s triggering the change? The study says a mix of “demographic, economic and societal factors, including rising immigration as well as a downturn in women’s labor force participation.” (Via Pew Research Center)
Researchers say while some moms can afford to stay home, others do so because they say a low paying job doesn't cover child care costs, daycare and other expenses. CNBC’s Allison Linn describes other characteristics of mothers who stay home that the study found.
“The moms who are staying home are younger, less educated, more likely to just have a high school diploma, and they’re more likely to be in poverty. In fact almost a third of these moms are in poverty.”
NBC points out when it comes to certain groups of moms who are more likely to remain home full-time with their kids, the study says Hispanic, Asian and immigrant mothers are more likely to be stay in the household. (ViaNBC)
USA Today reports the idea of stay-at-home moms is growing on the American people.
They cite another Pew survey which shows “60% say children are better off ‘when a parent stays home to focus on the family.’ Just 35% say children are just as well off with both parents working.”
