Do Children Make a Difference in the Mental Health of Dual Earner Partners?: A Cross‐National Study

Abstract

Societies the world over are currently experiencing a common phenomenon ‐ a greater rise in the number of two‐paycheck families than ever before! Knowing the stresses of rearing a family while simultaneously pursuing a dual‐earner lifestyle, two‐earner couples in many societies are also presumably experiencing the same dilemma ‐ whether or not to bear and raise children while simultaneously pursuing careers. In a sense, the very family rubric may be said to be currently at the crossroads. Controversies such as the “mommy track” (1989), and the mixed messages that are sent to working couples by societal culture, organisational values, and personal beliefs do not help to relieve the experienced tensions of the working couples either. It is important for dual‐career family members to know how parental status and the number of children impact on the quality of their experienced life, which is ultimately reflected in the state of their mental health. Being knowledgeable about this would help dual‐earner partners to make educated decisions regarding their desired family size.

Citation

Sekaran, U. and Tadisina, S.K. (1989), "Do Children Make a Difference in the Mental Health of Dual Earner Partners?: A Cross‐National Study", Equal Opportunities International, Vol. 8 No. 4, pp. 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb010510