Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Journal of Family Issues
Publication Date
1-2013
Abstract
There are good reasons to suspect that the transition parents go through
when having their second child may be different from when having their first,
yet these differences remain understudied. This study focuses on one specific
area of possible divergence by looking at how first-time versus secondtime
mothers decide on maternity leave length. To address this question, a
series of in-depth semistructured longitudinal interviews were conducted
at three different times over the course of 1 year with 16 pregnant public
school teachers; 8 of whom were having their first child and 8 their second
child. Findings indicate that some areas in which differences emerged include
the level of influence of the Family and Medical Leave Act guidelines, comfort
level with using paid child care, and the gendered nature of their parenting
ideologies.
Recommended Citation
Barnes, Medora W., "Having a First Versus a Second Child: Comparing Women's Maternity Leave Choices and Concerns" (2013). Sociology. 21.
https://collected.jcu.edu/soc-facpub/21