Maternal Employment and Childcare Responsibilities: Challenges and Coping Strategies of Working Mothers in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Western Region of Ghana

Abstract

Women's engagement in the workforce has risen significantly and has been accompanied by greater challenges in balancing roles between paid work and childcare. This article identified the challenges confronting working mothers with children aged 0-3 years and examined how working mothers managed the challenges they encountered in the care of their children in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.  A cross-sectional descriptive survey research approach was adopted. A sample of (N = 150) working mothers comprising teachers, nurses, bankers, traders, hairdressers and seamstresses were conveniently sampled from four Reproductive and Child Health Centers to complete questionnaires. Findings revealed that challenges of working mothers were time constraints, safety and security of their children at care center, mother child relationship affected due to less time spent with children and increased financial cost as a result of using alternative childcare. The areas of childcare most affected by mothers work were eating routines and time of introducing weaning foods whereas areas the least affected by mothers' work were breastfeeding and inculcating family values in kids. To cope with the challenges of maternal employment, working mothers worked shifts, alternated work hours, enjoyed maternity leave and used alternative childcare. Challenges and constraints of working mothers influenced their decision on the use of alternative childcare and invariably determined the coping strategies adopted. An effective child care arrangement for working mothers should be institutionalized and there should be an extension of the three month maternity leave to six months to help minimize the challenges working mothers encounter.