Work is good for your health?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Work is good for your health?
1599
Mon, 05-15-2006 - 5:25am

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?newsid=43421
Working Mothers Healthier Than Full-time Housewives

Main Category: Women's Health / OBGYN News
Article Date: 15 May 2006 - 1:00am (PDT)

According to new research carried out in Britain, working mothers enjoy better health than full-time housewives. Despite the stress working mothers face by holding down a job, dealing with childcare, housework and striving to keep the family happy.

It appears that working mothers, when compared to full-time housewives, are less likely to become overweight, have a better level of health and a healthier relationship. The study also found that single mothers experience worse health than working mothers who have a partner and children.

You can read about this study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Team leader, Dr. Anne McMunn, University College London, said that women who combine work with children and marriage do seem to have better health than full-time housewives. Even though they may experience high levels of stress sometimes.

It is not a question of chicken-and-egg either. Dr. McMunn said it is the experience of work plus having a family that brings on the better health, not the fact that only healthier mothers decide to carry on working.

The researchers examined data on women born in 1946 from the Medical Research Council's National Study of Health and Development. The data registers their health from 1946 until they are 54. Women's health was examined, with the help of a questionnaire at the ages of 26 through to 54. Every decade, the questionnaire collects data on each woman's work history, whether she is/was married, has children, her height and weight.

The healthiest women were the ones who had all three of the following:

-- A Partner
-- Children
-- A job

Those reporting the worst health were stay-at-home mothers, followed by childless women and single mothers.

38% of stay-at-home mothers were obese when they reached their 50s, for working mothers the percentage was 23%.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2003
Sat, 06-03-2006 - 2:31pm
I never have any cash in my purse either, but if I did, it would be safe.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2006
Sat, 06-03-2006 - 2:44pm

Yeah, I know. Why are men so afraid of purses?

But my DD's having that same feeling that Mom's purse is private never to be entered by anyone else has worked to my advantage. Things that they had no qualms about entering my bedroom/bathroom and taking from me are perfectly safe in my purse. I don't know how many pairs of tweezers and nail clippers I bought before I figured that one out.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-27-2005
Sat, 06-03-2006 - 3:36pm
You mean my dh is not the only one?? He flat-out refuses to ever look into my purse...claims it's impossible for him to find anything, but I swear he's actually afraid.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Sat, 06-03-2006 - 4:52pm

Same here except I don't carry a purse, just a wallet that I transfer from sewing bag to backpack. But it almost never has cash in it--just check/atm cards. My check book is in the backpack.

Chris

The truth may be out there but lies are in your head. Terry Pratchett

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2001
Sun, 06-04-2006 - 11:40am

Well, I worked right up until the end and my water broke at work.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2001
Sun, 06-04-2006 - 6:16pm

My dh's wallet didn't used to be safe...if I ever needed cash, I'd raid it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2001
Sun, 06-04-2006 - 6:19pm

Me too.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-26-2006
Mon, 06-05-2006 - 1:12pm

I'm sorry that I haven't read all 800 posts. I just wanted to offer a point of view from a child whose single mom had to work (im only 20 - so i remember being 3/5 quite well).

I went to daycare when I was little. I don't remember being upset that my mom left me. I had really good friends - one of whom I still speak to this day. I remember starting Pre-school, and crying (howling) because my mom left - but it was more due to the fact, that it was a new school, not my daycare from the past two years.

My other question is what I don't really understand, children go to school for 13 years of their life (at least) (in USA/Canada) and are only at home for 4/5 so how is it beneficial to SAH when the children are school. Im' just not sure i see the point?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2003
Mon, 06-05-2006 - 1:49pm
Especially since student loans are unsecured. You can refinance a house because there is the value of the house as collateral.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-26-2006
Mon, 06-05-2006 - 2:02pm

"the rich kids who were told they had money,flaunted it as much as the poor kids who felt displaced because they were told they were dirt poor....and those not told they did or didn't have money were much more humbled and modest. including us.

i won't count on an agreement from you but can you see why my perspective of *not* sharing with my kids the money we do or don't have is different from yours? i'm happy that you can afford to pay college for your child. i hope our cushions help too *if* they chose that route.....but sharing (with your child) what it is you have that not all (in fact,i would wager many) can do leaves a potential holier than thou mark on your child and their friends. imo."

again - sorry for not reading all the posts.

When I was growing up - I guess still, because i'm only in University, we didn't have a lot of money (we had more than the other lady on here, but not much compared to the people in my school etc) but when I would ask for toys, and my mom would say no...I would DEFINITLY want an explaination. Just telling me I couldn't have it, well why not? Stephanie had it...so why can't i?! ...your kids don't ask why?? (and if they do, what do you say?) So my mom told me that we weren't as rich as stephanie's family, and we couldn't afford stuff that she had, that's why I couldn't have expensive barbies etc, that she works so that we can live in the house we did, so that we could eat...have clothes etc.

I feel knowing the trouble financially we had growing up taught me the value of a doller, and when I was in grade 8, my mom told me that we were goign to go to Europe (after gr 9)(she had been saving for like 10 years to take me) so I started to save every penny I had. I thought about it when I wanted ice cream (treats)/new clothes, some cool thing that people had at school, so that I could save for this trip, so that I could buy stuff over there.

So now, when i earn money, I may want those new shoes, but what's more valuable to me - those new shoes that cost 150$ or going to visit my friend in France when she's on exchange, or going to russia for my grad trip from university.

My kids may not know exatly if we're in debt, but I'm goign to explain money, and tell them to save up their allowence/birthday money for things they want.

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