By DEGAN JOHN KETTLE
LDS mothers spend slightly less time with their husbands and children than mothers of other faiths according to a random American family study conducted by a BYU professor.
The study, along with other family studies have indicated that today’s LDS mothers feel a great amount of stress as complicated family responsibilities beset them and economic pressures push them into the workplace, leaving less time for the family.
The findings of a survey conducted in part by associate professor of family science Thomas Holman show that modern LDS mothers are spending less time with their families than are other mothers. The study shows LDS mothers are feeling overwhelmed and sometimes unappreciated.
Holman said LDS mothers are under tremendous pressure because of their modern role. “It appears to me that Mormon women are trying to do it all — have the American dream, a job outside the home; and the Mormon dream, having an eternal family.”
Holman’s survey indicates that 54.6 percent of LDS women are working. 55 percent of other women are working.
Local mothers feel that there are so many LDS mothers in the work force because of high social demands.
Bertie Jackson, a resident of Provo for over 70 years, said, “I never had to work out of the home, but there are social demands on today’s mothers. Kids are expected to be given material goods and participate in extracurricular activities.”
Jackson also said that mothers are now required to drive their kids to extracurricular activities. Before, the kids did more local things or worked.
Mothers are now watching out for drugs and other dangers that did not exist before, Jackson said.
Holman said that the expectations of working mothers are often the same as those mothers who stay at home all the time.
“Mothers can’t spend more time with their children — that must be frustrating,” Holman said.
In light of the stress that many LDS mothers feel, Holman offers a solution. “We need to change the way we think and appreciate women for typical household tasks,” said Holman
