Differences in academic achievement disappeared by
age 10, and language differences between working and
stay-at-home moms were reduced by age 12.
Where there are differences
are in two areas: how soon a mother returns to work, and in the
number of hours worked each week. Harvey found that when the
sooner a mother returns to work after delivery, the more likely
it is that behavioral and developmental problems will crop up.
Likewise, the more hours a week a mom works, the more likely
problems are likely to develop and linger.
Harvey's study
indicates that the most important issues in determining whether
or not a child is well-developed are the relationship the mother
and child have when they are together, and the quality of the
child's daycare. With apparently no impact on the situation are
fathers, whether or not they work out of or in the home.
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