1

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE ADOLESCENT

STUDENTS OF WORKING AND NON-WORKING MOTHERS OF
KHAGORIJAN BLOCK OF NAGAON DISTRICT, ASSAM

Garima Baruah

Assistant Professor, College of Education, Nagaon

Abstract

The present study explored the comparative study on the problems faced by the
adolescent students of working and non-working mothers. A sample of 157 adolescent
students of working and non-working mothers, in which 60 were adolescents (24 male; 36
female) of working mothers and 97 were adolescents (45 male; 52 female) of non-working
mothers were proportionately selected from the high schools of Khagorijan Block of Nagaon
District. The study sample of adolescent students are studying in class IX and X. The data are
analyzed by using mean, SD and t-value. The results indicate that adolescent students of
working mothers face behavioural, social, emotional and health problems. On the other
hand, the adolescent students of non-working mothers face financial and emotional
problems. There is significant difference in the problems faced by adolescent students of
working and non-working mothers. The research based suggestions are given at the end of
the paper.

Keywords: Adolescent, mother, problem, working and non-working.

Introduction

Modern life is full of demands. So, the mothers are not only restricted to their
involvement in domestic chores, procreation of children and their nurturing with family care
and attention. A significant number of mothers are working and they are maintaining their
dual roles of as employee and household keeper with financial assistance to their families.
This combination of career-work and housework is the reason why their children have faced
many problems. The problems are related to behavior, academic, social, personal and
emotional aspects of the children of working mothers.

Being a working mother is different. The discision to put their careers on hold until
their children are older is one of the most difficult and important one a woman ever faces.
 2

The mother-children relationship demands to a great extent on the childrens age at the time
the mother start to work. If a mother begins working before the children become accustomed
to spending most of the time with her before any definite relationship has been established,
the effect will be minimal. If strong attachments have been formed, however, the children
may suffer from maternal deprivation unless a satisfactory mothers substitute is provided.

Some women have no choice, they are single mother who must work, and other
women have a choice. Children must not be neglected since nurturing and caring for young
children is essential. The lack of proper care due to mothers partial absence from home has
been reflected in some studies. There have been many cases where children of working
mother face many behavioural problems like mal-adjustment, anxiety, stealing, bedwetting,
stammering, telling lies, love for isolation, etc.

The children of working mothers sometimes face social problems such as they are not
interested to participate in social activities, they like to live lonely and sometimes it is seen
that the children of working mothers have no playmates or friends. They do not like to mix up
with their friends. Again, the children of working mothers face some kinds of emotional
problems. As they grow older they have many emotional problems such as they feel anxiety,
anger, jealousy, etc. Sometimes they cannot share their problems with their mothers. The
children of working mothers also face academic problems. The mothers cannot give proper
attention on the studies of their children due to their busy schedule.

Mothers who stay at home feel an important need for their children; simply they are
there when their children need them. In some situations it can be noticed that the children of
non-working mothers face many problems when their mothers are busy in household works.
In the case of non-working mothers, the children face different kinds of problems like
financial as well as personal. The children of non-working mothers are less economically
sound than the children of working mothers. They cannot reach money whenever they need it
much. They cannot pay their examination fees on time. Sometimes, they have to give
explanations to their mothers for how to spend money. For these reasons, sometimes they
face some personal problems such as they feel shy in front of their friends and they donot
want to mix up with their friends. The children of non-working mothers also face academic
problems. Non-working mothers cannot give proper attention on the studies of their children
due to their heavy load of household works.
 3

Sociologists, social psychologists and educationists got interested in the field of

children of working and non-working mothers to find out the problems that the children face.
A galore of studies have been conducted on the subject Hoffman (1963) found that the
children of working mothers appeared to be less assertive and less affective in their peer
interaction. These children helped someone less in household tasks than did the children of
non-working mothers. Moores (1963) data indicate that the children who had been left by
their mothers from early infancy showed more dependent attachment to their parents than did
any other children. They exhibited other symptoms of insecurity such as nail biting and bad
dreams. Mahajan (1966) brought to light that about 92% of unmarried college going girls
would favour the traditional role of housewives in case their husbands disliked their working
outside the homes. Miller (1975) reveals that daughters of working mothers were found to be
more aggressive and less passive than daughters of non-working mothers. Ribble (1979) has
found that children who were not fortunate enough to have the loving, caring and constancy
of their mother during their earlier years reacted with negativism, hypertension, stupors
sleep, diarrhea and emotional imbalance. Sharma (1986) has revealed that the children of
non-working mothers were found to be more excited, tender hearted, sensitive, dependent and
more protective. Mody and Murthy (1988) have revealed that the children of employed
mothers were found to be careless and slightly emotionally unstable in the early years
compared to the children of non-employed mothers. Vijayalaxmi and Bowlby (2007) have
found that the adolescent children of homemakers have significantly higher self-concepts.
The children of homemakers have significantly higher self-concepts and higher achievement
motivation than the children of employed mothers.

Mothers must develop a bond with their children from an early age. Even if she
works, she must spend quality time with her children. Young children usually think of their
mother as a person who does things for them, who takes care of their psychological need,
who give them affection and attention. But a mother who works must rely on other people to
interact with her children. The children are left with neighbours, none of whom can
compensate for their mothers absence. The family is the most important factor in the
development of children. The children who have secured family bonds are able to meet the
requirements of schools and other agencies in the community.

Both types of mothers i.e. working and non-working mothers are always busy in their
own work; so they must spend quality time with their children. Adolescents of working and
 4

non-working mothers are facing lots of problems in their day to day life. The mothers should
give proper care, attention, and guidance to their children. The children of working and non-
working mothers can always feel that they are not alone and their mothers always care for
them. They feel that their mothers lives are devoted to their children.So, the working and
non-working mothers should spend quality time with their children. Then the problems faced
by adolescent students of working and non-working mothers would be solved.

Need of the present study

With the emergence of a new economic pattern, increasing opportunities for

education, rising standard of living and increased modernization women from the middle and
upper class families have also started coming out of their traditional role of a homemaker to
join the work force. Todays society has been subjected to fast and rapid changes. The social
and economic forces have narrowed down the distinction between men and women in respect
of their spheres of work. Science and technology have changed modern life to a great extent
and women are seen to be engaged in work outside the home. The economic compulsions
have been greatly responsible for making women seek jobs. The number of working women
has been increasing year by year. The increasing number of women in the work force has
created a number of problems to their children.

Todays women are once again finding themselves and their decisions placed under
the microscope. Women find their decisions to enter the work force with their male
counterparts criticized, because some felt women could not measure up when it came to
performance and dedication. Women are now being scrutinized by such groups as the Joseph
Rowntree Foundation and the American Academy of Pediatrics, if they decide to enter the
work force and have children.

While a working mother has a wide range of social and professional contacts, the non-
working mother is at times isolated to their immediate surroundings. There is little adult
interaction and the monotony of daily interactions can be disheartening. While the non-
working mother is staying at home to better her child academically and emotionally, the
amount of actual quality time is not always as sufficient as that of a working mother. The
time spent at home is usually full of completing household chores that do not include time
with the child. Adolescents of non-working mothers are facing lots of problems in their day to
day life such as financial, personal and academic problems. Children of stay at home mothers
 5

have to deal more with symptoms of separation anxiety. So, considering the importance of the
problems faced by adolescents of working and non-working mothers the present study has
been taken up by the investigator.

Justification of the study

Todays life is challenging. Some women work outside the home and some are busy
in their household works. When women enter the employment market, their children face
crisis just from their early age. Children of non-working mothers face problems like
emotional, behavioural, social, academic, etc. Non-working mothers are busy in their
household works in most of the time; they can not give proper attention and guidance to their
children. Being a working mother is difficult. The mothers who are busy in their office
works; then the children of those mothers face lots of problems such as -

A) Behavioural problems:

The children of the working mothers face lots of behavioural problems such as -

i) Mal-adjustment: The children always face difficulty in adjusting with their friends.
Sometimes, they feel fear and shy to adjust with their playmates.

ii) Stealing: Stealing is one of the behavioural problems faced by the adolescent students
in their school age.

iii) Telling lies: The children sometimes or in some cases frequently tell a lie.

iv) Love for isolation: The children of employed mothers are always introvert in nature.
They like to live in isolation and do not want to mix up with other persons.

v) Bed-wetting/Stammering/Anxiety: The adolescent students of the working mothers

face problems like bed-wetting, stammering, anxiety, etc.

B) Social problems:

The children of the working mothers face lots of social problems. They feel neglected
from their mothers because their mothers are busy in most of the time in the work-place. So,
they do not like to mix-up with their friends, neighbours and other family members.

C) Emotional problems:
 6

The children of the employed mothers face emotional problems in their day to day
life. Their mothers are busy in their works and it leads to the emotional problems of the
children. The children of working mothers sometimes get angry at the other without any
reason. They feel isolated because their mothers spend enough time with them as they desire.
In some cases, the children of this group feel lonely when their mothers donot stay with
them at the moment of sadness. They cannot share their feelings and different issues with
their mothers because they can spend a little time with their mothers which is not sufficient
for them; children get freedom in excess when they dont see mothers around to stop them
from vices. This way they may fall in bad company and inculcate vices in them.

D) Health problems:

The children of working mothers face health problems because their mothers spend
most of the time in their work-place. So, the mothers cannot give proper care and attention to
their children. Children of this group sometimes suffer from many health issues like lack of
proper growth and nutrition. Height and weight of the children cannot be seen in a proper
way according to their age.

On the other hand, non-working mothers always busy in their household works. They
cannot give proper care and guidance to their children. So, the children of non-working
mothers face many problems such as -

A) Financial problems:

The children of the non-working mothers face financial problems. In many times, they
cannot pay their examination fees on time. They have to give explanations to their mothers
about spending money. Most of the times, they have no money to buy their school books; so
they flatter their friends for books. Sometimes, they borrow books from the others. Thus, they
face the financial crisis.

B) Emotional problems:

The children of non-working mothers face emotional problems in their day to day life.
Emotional problems are caused by the financial problems which are faced by children of non-
working mothers. The children of non-working mothers cannot be able to achieve money
 7

whenever they need it. In many times, they feel hesitate in front of their friends due to the
lack of strong financial support.

There are so many specific problems which are faced by the two groups of adolescent
students. These are mentioned below -

A) Behavioural problems:

The children of the working and non-working mothers face the behavioural problems
because, the two groups of mothers are always busy in their own schedule; hence, it leads to
the behavioural problems among the adolescent students.

B) Emotional problems:

The children of the working and non-working mothers face many emotional
problems. The two groups of mothers are engaged in their daily works; so they cannot give
proper care and attention to their children. So, the childrens face the emotional problems.

C) Academic problems:

The children of the working and non-working mothers face the academic problems;
because the working mothers are busy in their office; whereas, the non-working mothers are
also busy in their household works. So, the children of the two groups cannot discuss their
academic issues with their mothers. The mothers of the two groups cannot help to prepare
notes for their children. Thus, the adolescent students of the working and non-working
mothers face the academic problems in their day to day life.

Realizing these problems, it has been felt that this study would help the working and
non-working mothers to give some quality time to their children after completing their works.

Design of the study

1. The method applied:

Proportionate sampling method has been followed by the investigator for the present
study. Methodology in the context of the study refers to the overall approach to be adopted
with respect to the population and sampling design, tools of data collection and techniques of
 8

treating data. In proportionate sampling the investigator divides a finite population into sub-
populations and then applies random sampling techniques to each sub-population.

2. Objectives of the study undertaken:

a) To study the problems faced by the adolescent students of working mothers.

b) To study the problems faced by the adolescent students of non-working mothers.

c) To compare the problems faced by the adolescent students of the working and non-
working mothers.

3. Hypotheses of the study:

The investigator has got the following hypotheses from the study undertaken

Ho1: There is no significant difference in the problems faced by the adolescent students
of the working and non-working mothers.

Ho2: There is no significant difference in the problems faced by boys and girls of
working mothers.

Ho3: There is no significant difference in the problems faced by boys and girls of non-
working mothers.

4. Tools used for gathering data:

Self-constructed questionnaires have been used to seek informations regarding

problems faced by the adolescent students of working and non-working mothers.

5. Sample taken for the study:

In Khagorijan Block, there are 11 schools; we took half of the total schools
-11/100*50% = 6 schools. In the 6 schools, the total students are 620 (292 boys; 328 girls);
the sample is calculated as 292/620 = 0.47 (Boys) and 328/620 = 0.54 (Girls). Suppose we
want to take 146 boys (roughly 50% of 292) and 164 girls (roughly 50% of 328); then
164*0.54 = 88 (Girls) and 146*0.47 = 69 (Boys), the total sample is 157 (88 girls and 69 boys)
from 6 schools.
 9

Fig.1: Distribution of the collected samples for final study

6. Study Area:

The study focuses on the problems faced by the adolescent students studying in class IX
and X of working and non-working mothers of Khagorijan Block of Nagaon District, Assam.

7. Delimitation of the study:

The study is delimited to the following -

i) The study covers Khagorijan Block of Nagaon District only.

ii) The study sample comprises adolescent students of working and non-working mothers
who are studying class IX and X.

iii) The sample size is 157 adolescent students, both boys and girls, of class IX and X.

iv) The period of study is 2014 - 2015 only.

Analysis and Interpretation of Data

Analysis of data means studying the tabulated material in order to determine inherent
facts or meaning. However, descriptive statistical analysis limit generalization to the
particular group of individuals observed. The process of interpretation is essentially one of
stating what the result shows, what they mean and what their significance is. So,
interpretation is not only a careful and significance study but also a logical and critical
examination of the result obtained after analysis. In the present study, the obtained data of
157 adolescent students of working and non-working mothers was analysed with respect to
the independent variables.
 10

1: Statistical Techniques:

The data analysis has been done by adopting - (a) Mean, (b) Standard Deviation and
(c) t-Test.

2. Analysis and interpretation of the collected data:

The hypothesis wise analysis and interpretation of the collected data are as follows -

2.1: Analysis and interpretation in respect to Hypothesis No. 1:

There is no significant difference in the problems faced by the adolescent students of

working and non-working mothers.

Table1: Mean distribution and standard deviation of the adolescents of working and
non-working mothers

Groups No Mean SD

Adolescents of working mothers 60 82.13 2.96

Adolescents of non-working mothers 97 86.07 4.34

Total 157

Fig2: The comparison of mean score and SD between adolescents of working and non-
working mothers.
 11

Table2: Showing the mean, SD and t-ratio for testing the significant difference of
problems of adolescents of working and non-working mothers

Level of
Groups No. Mean SD t-Value
Significance

Adolescents of working mothers 60 82.13 2.96 Significant at

5.79
0.05%
Adolescents of non-working mothers 97 86.07 4.34

Total 157

The critical value of t at 0.05% level of significance is 1.98. Table 2 shows that the
calculated value of t i.e. 5.79 is much higher than the critical value 1.98; hence, is significant.
Therefore, by rejecting the null hypothesis it can be interpreted that there is significant
difference in the problems faced by adolescent students of working and non-working mothers.

2.2: Analysis and interpretation in respect to Hypothesis No. 2:

There is no significant difference in the problems faced by boys and girls of working
mothers.

Table3: Comparison of the problems faced by boys and girls of working mothers

Level of
Groups No. Mean SD t-Value
Significance

Boys of working mothers 24 84.38 1.34 Significant at

2.34
0.05%
Girls of working mothers 36 82.81 3.09

Total 60

The critical value of t at 0.05% level of significance is 2.01. Table 3 shows that the
calculated value of t i.e. 2.34 is much higher than the critical value 2.01; hence, is significant.
Therefore, we reject the null hypothesis and thus, it can be interpreted that there is significant
difference in the problems faced by boys and girls of working mothers.

2.3: Analysis and interpretation in respect to Hypothesis No. 3:

There is no significant difference in the problems faced by boys and girls of non-
working mothers.
 12

Table4. Comparison of the problems faced by boys and girls of non-working mothers

Level of
Groups No. Mean SD t-Value
Significance

Boys of non-working mothers 45 87.38 3.78 Significant at

2.84
0.05%
Girls of non-working mothers 52 84.94 4.49

Total 97

The critical value of t at 0.05% level of significance is 1.99. Table 4 shows that the
calculated value of t i.e. 2.84 is much higher than the critical value 1.99; hence, is significant.
Therefore, we reject the null hypothesis and thus, it can be interpreted that there is significant
difference in the problems faced by boys and girls of non-working mothers.

3. General Findings:

(a) On the basis of the objective No. 1:-

Objective1: To study the problems faced by the adolescent students of working mothers.

(i) Do you want to steal to see something new?

Interpretation: Data are collected from 6 schools and the total number of samples is
60 adolescents of working mothers. From the observation, it is seen that 53% adolescents
responded positively. It means the adolescents of working mothers face behavioural
problems. They sometimes attempt to steal to see something new in front of them.

(ii) Does your mother give you permission to see cinema?

Interpretation: From the observation, it is seen that 100% adolescents responded

negatively. It means the mothers of adolescents donot give permission to see cinema. So, the
adolescents of working mothers face social problems. They always hesitate to mix up with
friends, neighbours and even their family members.

(iii) Is it easy to share different issues with your mother?

Interpretation: From the observation, it is seen that 93% adolescents responded

positively. It means that the working mothers are busy in their work and they cannot give
proper care and attention to their children due to their work-pressure. So, the adolescents of
 13

working mothers face emotional problems in their day to day life. The adolescents of
working mothers donot feel comfortable with their mothers to discuss different issues.

(iv) Does your mother get angry at your bad performances in examination?

Interpretation: From the observation, it is seen that 95% adolescents responded

positively. It seems that the adolescents face academic problems. Working mothers are busy
in their work. So, children of working mothers sometimes cannot show good results in
examination. The working mother does not give attention on their childrens studies. So, the
adolescents of working mothers face academic problems in their school stage.

(b) On the basis of the objective No. 2:

Objective2: To study the problems faced by the adolescent students of non-working mothers.

(i) Does your mother spend enough time with you as you desire?

Interpretation: Data are collected from 6 schools and the total number of samples is
97 adolescents of non-working mothers. From the observation, it is seen that 70% adolescents
responded negatively. It means that the adolescents of non-working mothers face emotional
problems. The non-working mothers are busy in their daily household works. They cannot
give proper attention and guidance to their children. The adolescents of non-working mothers
have some emotion related problems and these problems are affected on their physical,
mental and emotional development.

(ii) Can you pay your examination fees on time?

Interpretation: From the observation, it is seen that 55% adolescents responded

negatively. It means that the adolescents of non-working mothers face financial problems.
The non-working mothers are busy in their household chores. The non-working mothers are
seen as a financial contributor. The adolescents of non-working mothers cannot pay their
examination fees on time due to the lack of availability of money.

Findings and Conclusion of the study

Major findings of the study: The following are the major findings of the present study
 14

i. The adolescent students of working and non-working mothers face behavioural,

emotional and academic problems.

ii. The adolescent students of the working mothers face severe behavioural problems such
as anxiety, mal-adjustment, stealing, telling lies and love for isolation.

iii. The adolescent students of the working mothers face social and emotional problems.

iv. The adolescent students of the non-working mothers suffer from financial crisis.

v. The adolescent students of the non-working mothers have less anxiety problems than
the adolescent students of working mothers.

vi. The working and non-working mothers always encourage their children for scholastic
and non-scholastic activities.

Conclusion

It is concluded that more social interaction and economical assistance of educated

working mother make it possible to robust activities and academic performances of the
secondary school children. Educated working mother is in a better position to manage more
effectively a pull to work and to take care of children at home. Working mothers always
define their priorities. Family is the first priority for every working mother. However, time
management is the key to success for each one of them. Working mothers see their children
with a sence of confidence and with the abilities to take on new experiences without much
hesitation. Children of stay at home mothers have to deal more with symptoms of separation
anxiety. While both groups of mothers have fluctuating stress levels, the stay at home
mothers seem to keep a moderate level. However, the working mother find high levels of
stress frequently affect her daily life.

Now-a-days, due to inflation and other economic problems it has become vital to
make more efforts for good earning. So, a woman has to earn as well as understand the
responsibilities of her family. Keeping aside the disadvantages of being a working mother;
one should be positive and strive to see the advantages it offers a family. A working mother
should feel proud of herself as she has the power to give best to her family at the same time
not forgetting her responsibilities. One should a woman keep in mind is that she should not
get angry or irritated over children rather should try and tackle the adolescent students with
 15

love, affection and patience. So, both types of mothers should spend quality time with their
children. The working and non-working mothers should also try to establish a strong bond
among the adolescents. Then the problems faced by adolescent students of working and non-
working mothers would be minimized.

References

Asthana, B. 2012. Measurement and Evaluation in Psychology and Education. Agrawal

Publications.

Carvel, J. 2001. Children of Working Mothers At Risk. Society Guardian.,London.

Chauhan, S.S. 1996. Advanced Educational Psychology. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House.

Essortment, 2002. Children of Working Mothers,Essortment.

Garrett, H. 2004. Statistics in Psychology and Education, New York. Longmans,Green and
Company.

Gershaw, D. 1988. Working Mothers and Their Children.A Line on Life.

Goswamee, G.2008. Child Development and Child Care.Arun Prakashan,Guwahati.

Hoffman, Lois W. 1961. Effect of Maternal Employment on the Child. Child Development
,XXXII,187-197.

Hurlock, E.B. 2007. Child Development. New Delhi: Tata Mc Graw Hill Publishing Company.

Koul, L. 2001. Methodology of Educational Research. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House.

Mangal, S.K. 2007. Essentials of Educational Psychology. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India.

-----------------------------------------------------------