Homemaker or Career Woman: Life Course Factors and Racial Influences among Middle Class Americans

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of life course factors on the decision by American college educated women to stay at home or continue their careers after they have children. Data come from interviews with 48 white and African-American college-educated women that covered major events from childhood to the present, along with ideas for the future. Interviews were coded in terms of four major themes: identity, relational style, motivation, and adaptation. Findings revealed that identity as a mother was different for the two groups-central for the homemakers but combined with work for the career women. In relational style, homemakers relied on husbands primarily as breadwinners; career women relied on them for help with household work and childrearing. Motivation and rewards of homemakers were centered around mothering, but career women were focused on achievement and recognition at work. The patterns were similar for white and black women, but African-American homemakers were pioneers in staying at home whereas white homemakers were following tradition. Career women of both races used their sense of being outstanding to conquer disadvantage-the black women to defy racial discrimination, the white women to rise from humbler origins or to overcome a disability. In sum, holding constant age, race, marital status, and social class, there are striking differences in the life course of individuals that account for major variants in marriage patterns and women’s roles.