---
title: "Most Working Moms Prefer Part-Time Work"
description: "Roughly six-in-ten working mothers would prefer to work part time."
date: "2009-10-20"
authors:
  - name: "Pew Research Center"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2009/10/20/most-working-moms-prefer-part-time-work/"
---

# Most Working Moms Prefer Part-Time Work

Fully two-thirds of women with children ages 17 or younger work either full time or part time. Most have full-time jobs outside of the home (74%), but just 37% of working mothers prefer this role. A strong majority of working moms (62%) would rather work part time; a job situation enjoyed by just 26% of working mothers. Over a decade ago, just 48% of working mothers said a part-time job would be ideal. Today’s working mothers look little like their male counterparts. Fully 79% of working fathers prefer to work full time, while just 21% say part-time employment would be ideal. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/1360/working-women-conflicted-but-few-favor-return-to-traditional-roles)