EFFECTS OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS ON MOTHERHOOD ACTIVITIES AND PAID EMPLOYMENT IN ENUGU URBAN, ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of socioeconomic status (SES) on motherhood activities and paid employment using four occupational groups in the Enugu Urban Area, Enugu State, Nigeria namely; teachers, nurses, bankers and police personnel. The multistage sampling techniques were adopted and 995 respondents (aged 18-60 years) were selected using the questionnaire instrument. Qualitative data were generated by focus group discussion (FGD) with 31 participants (aged 18-60 years) not issued with the questionnaire. The quantitative data were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 and the results are presented in frequency distribution tables, percentages and cross tabulation. The hypotheses were tested using chi-square (x2) statistical inference. The qualitative data were analyzed in themes and verbatim quotes used to complement the results of the quantitative data. The findings revealed that among those more engaged, 28.7% of them were of low rank while 71.3% of them were of high rank (x2 =1.1198, df = 1, p = .274). Also, the results showed that for those less engaged in motherhood and family activities, 46.7% earned ₦800,000 per annum and below while 53.3% earned above ₦800,000 per annum. On the other hand, among those more engaged in motherhood and family activities, 52.3% earned ₦800,000 per annum and below while 47.7% earned above ₦800,000 per annum (x2 =2.601, df = 1, p = .107). The study therefore recommended among others; the need for a policy that will consider working mothers, especially in banking and police occupations. It is also recommended that policy makers and development partners should involve working mothers in developing policies that will help them cope with work and family life
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Family activities, motherhood, paid employment, socioeconomic status, working mothersDownloads
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Copyright (c) 2025 Chukwujekwu Charles Onwuka, PhD
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