Single Motherhood and Work-family Conflict in Japan

• In Event: 381 - Section on the Sociology of the Family Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 09. Work and Family: Session I

Abstract

This study examines the levels and correlates of perceived work-family conflict among married and unmarried mothers in Japan. Using data from the 2011 and 2012 rounds of the National Survey of Households with Children, I begin by demonstrating that single mothers report significantly higher levels of work-family conflict. I then estimate a series of regression models to assess the extent to which this relationship reflects differences between married and unmarried mothers in (a) labor force participation, (b) work circumstances, (c) family environment, and (d) economic well-being. Substantially higher levels of labor force participation among single mothers account for half of the observed difference in work-family conflict. Conditional on employment status, single mothers’ work characteristics, especially their long work hours, explain much of the remaining difference in work family conflict. Children’s health problems, children’s poor academic performance, and economic need are associated with higher levels of work-family conflict, but explain very little of the difference between single mothers and their married counterparts. I conclude by discussing the potential implications of these results for understanding the role of single parenthood and employment circumstances in shaping patterns of social stratification within and across generations.

Author

• James M. Raymo, University of Wisconsin-Madison