Driven Women:

The Twists and Turns of

Childbirth on Women’s Career
Choices

By: Maribeth L. Sarnecki

December 4, 2006
Overview:
 Introduction
 Literature Review
 Theory
 Method
 Findings
 Discussion
Thesis
 The purpose of this paper is to examine
the social choices of Saint Mary’s College
Alumnae regarding career choices made
after the birth of their first child.
Literature Review
 Work Policy FMLA  Childcare
 US Congress (1993)  Gornich, Meyers and Ross (1996)
 Ruhm (1997)  Kurts-Costes and Punghello
 Klerman and Leibowitz (1999) (2000)
 Gornich, Meyers and Ross (1996)

 Attitudes and Choices  Roles after first birth

 Edwards (2002)  Klerman and Leibowitz (1999)
 Cerkanovich, Giordano, Groat,  Gornich, Meyers and Ross (1996)
Pugh and Swineford (1997)  Vandenheuvel (1997)
 Hoffnung (2001)  Budig and England (2001)
Feminist Theory
 Betty Friedan
 The Problem that has no name (1963)
Methods: Participants
 308 Saint Mary’s College Alumnae contacted
form a list provided by the Saint Mary’s College
Alumnae Relations Office

 Matched criteria of:

1. Graduated from Saint Mary’s College between the years of
1995 and 2005
2. Have given birth to at least one child since graduation

 85 responses (27%)
Methods: Participant
Demographics
Post Bachelors Out of 36 responses Religious Affiliation Out of 80
Degree responses
Masters 21 (63%) Catholic 77 (96%)

MBA 2 (6%) Catholic/Episcolian 1(1%)

Protestant 1(1%)
MD’s 2 (6%)
Methodist 1(1%)
JD 2 (6%)
Lutheran 1(1%)

Leading Occupations Out of 77 responses Average Alumnae Spouse

Age
Business 10 (11%)
@ marriage 24.5 yrs. 26.96
Education 15 (17%) yrs.
@ first 27.18 yrs. 29.24
Homemaker 25 (29%) child’s birth yrs.

Other 15 (17%)
Method: Procedures
 Contacted 308 Saint Mary’s College Alumnae via email
who graduated between the years of 1995 and 2005 and
have given birth to atleast one child since graduation from
a list provided by the Saint Mary’s College Alumnae
Relations Office

 Online survey conducted at surveymonkey.com

 Eight-five multiple choice and open-ended question

Research Question

 What Social Factors impact the career

choice of Saint Mary’s College Alumnae
after the birth of their first child?
Findings: Based on Maternity
Leave
Based on Maternity leave Responded % of 85

Alumnae employed at time of birth 74 84%

Alumnae were allowed to take of the amount of 31 36%

maternity leave wanted
Alumnae employer were flexible with the amount of time 40 47%
off through maternity leave
Alumnae employers were not flexible with their amount 9 10%
of time off through maternity leave
Maternity leave offered lasted 0-16 weeks 54 63%

Alumnae returned to work when their maternity leave 36 42%

was up
Alumnae did not return to work after their maternity 30 35%
leave was up
Alumnae are currently employed 48 56.4%
 Findings: Maternity Leave


weeks was the average amount of time taken off for materni
Findings: Working Mothers and Stay-at-
Home Mothers

 Deciding Factors
Findings: Working Mothers and Stay-at-
Home Mothers

 Acceptance of
Decision
Discussion
 Parent/Child Relationships

 Finances
Questions???