What percentage of working mothers with small children age 5 or under
in the United States are forced to work due to their economic
circumstances, as opposed to those for whom working is a choice?

Hello publictransit,

According to a study prepared by M.Cubed and sponsored by the National
Child Care Association, 72 percent of women with children aged three
to five; 61 percent with children under age three; and 59 percent of
women with children under age one were in the work force. Two-thirds
(66%) of working parents did so primarily to support their family, and
a majority of working mothers would prefer to stay home with their
children.


Excerpt: Page 6

?In 2000, 65 percent of women with children under the age of six; 72
percent of women with children aged three to five; 61 percent with
children under age three; and 59 percent of women with children under
age one were in the work force, with most working full-time.

Women work both because they want to, and, more predominately, because
of necessity. Some women work because they enjoy the challenge,
independence, and stimulation associated with their professions.
However, a recent poll
found that two-thirds of working parents did so primarily to support
their family, and a majority of working mothers would prefer to stay
home with their children.

Whether by choice or because of economic need, women play a crucial
role in financially supporting their families. Approximately 55
percent of working women are responsible for half or more of their
household?s income, with almost 20 percent the sole family provider.
Even among employed women in married couples,
almost 50 percent contributed half or more of their families? earnings.?

National Child Care Association
http://www.nccanet.org/NCCA%20Impact%20Study.pdf


?Nearly three-quarters of all mothers are in the labor force.  Even
among mothers with very young children, more than sixty percent are in
the labor force. Unmarried mothers are more likely than married
mothers to work.?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides Labor Force Participation
rates among mothers at the following links:
http://www.bls.gov/opub/working/page16b.htm
http://www.bls.gov/opub/working/data/chart16.txt

Search criteria:
Working mothers
Labor force 
Work force
?For necessity? 
?Economic reasons?
 Preschoolers 
?under 5 years old? 


I hope this is helpful.


Best regards,
Bobbie7

Thank you very much, Bobby7-ga Very insightful facts.

Dear Publictransit,

Thank you very much for the five stars and very generous tip!

Sincerely,
Bobbie7