Women’s career paths leading to low-skilled jobs: preference, choice, and motherhood

Abstract

The increasing number of women getting educated and entering the workforce, particularly after the 1970s, was a catalyst in major changes in society and, as a result, norms, beliefs, ideals, and family structures. Through the years working women have been accused of disrupting traditional family structures, and many people support the concept of returning to the traditional breadwinning paradigm, in which males would be the primary financial providers and women would be accountable only for their responsibilities as mothers and wives. This study examines the factors influence women’s career paths leading to low skilled positions, while taking into consideration preference, choice and motherhood. For the purposes of the study eleven women with children, who are currently working or have been previously worked in low skilled positions, were interviewed. The study revealed three broad themes of factors, each with further subcategories. The first factor was social class, which included the role of family and financial status; the second factor was the nature of work, which included the type of roles they held, opportunities to advance in their careers, and a desire for part-time work. In addition to the assistance and support they have had or continue to receive from family and/or third parties, such as financial assistance, babysitting, emotional support, and so on. Finally, they addressed their personal life and their partner, as well as the participants' ideas and opinions on what they would have done differently.