The Impact of Social Pressure on High-Income Working Mothers In Academia

Abstract

Working mothers are often displayed as superheroes for all that they manage by taking on roles like mother, professional, and homemaker, which leaves them feeling burnout. The purpose of this study is to explain social pressures impacting working mothers, who is inflicting social pressures, and what areas of their life are being impacted. Additionally, it investigates how the pandemic has changed the work-life balance and where they are spending their time. Researchers used an online Qualtrics survey to collect data from two social media platforms. A total of 272 participants filled out the questionnaire and were eligible for the study. Women who are married, live in the United States, work in academics, have at least 1 child, and bring in an individual income of over $80,000 annually were included in this study. Descriptive analysis and paired t-tests were conducted. The paired t-test was significant for women spending less time working from the office since the pandemic. Additionally, women spent significantly more time with family and working from home. The study found that since the pandemic women were spending more time with their families; however, they are having more difficulty maintaining a work-life balance. This information will help aid workplace policies to establish boundaries for working mothers. Implementing more flexibility for home activities and encouraging disconnecting from work devices are recommendations gleaned to improve this balance. However, societal norms may also need adjustment to remove the self-inflicted stress that mothers feel to be perfect in every role.