By Brittanie Morris
In the past 30 years, the average age of women who give birth for the first time has risen nearly four years. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the current average age is 25.1 percent.
Other motherhood trends have seen changes in the past 30 years as well.
Among these is the increase of single mothers living with children under 18, currently at 10 million, up from 3 million in 1970.
But most significantly listed among trend changes is the number of mothers in the labor force with infant children.
The number of working mothers with infant children was recorded at 55 percent in 2002, down from a record 59 percent in 1998.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, this decrease marks the first significant decline in this rate since the Census Bureau began calculating this measure in 1976, when 31 percent of mothers with infants were in the labor force.
In recent years, more women are staying at home to raise their children. The U.S. Census Bureau reported 5.4 million women were “stay-at-home moms” as of 2003.
Trine Krueger, 22, a senior majoring in communication disorders, and mother of a 9-month-old daughter, said being a stay-at-home mom is the most important thing she could do for her child.
“I didn”t realize how wonderful and awesome it [being a mother] would be,” Krueger said.
Krueger is grateful for the opportunity to teach her daughter the things she values in life. Krueger said she thought she would give up a lot of what she wanted when she became a mother, but has found that”s not the case.
“Now I think, ”What did I do before you came?”” Kruger said. “I can”t imagine life without her. She is the greatest blessing in my life besides my husband.”
Shirley Klein, associate director of the School of Family Life, agreed that being a mother is a rewarding role, but said motherhood and the workplace is a complex issue.
“There are so many variables involved in why mothers work,” Klein said. “Each woman has to figure it out for herself.”
Klein said all mothers generally want to have enough time with their children, but often this is more complicated than simply choosing to stay at home.
However, Klein stressed the importance of paying attention to the counsel of leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who constantly remind members of the church of their parenting responsibilities. Klein said there is a time and a season for everything.
“You can do it all, but not all at once,” Klein said.
