Mothers and work: the great debate

via guardian.co.uk Society by Amelia Hill and Gaby Hinsliff on 9 August
New study says most Britons believe family life suffers if women work. We asked nine panelists if it is possible for modern mothers to combine childcare with a career.
Read the full article

It's little wonder that kids turn to gangs to provide a sense of belonging
says Rowenna Davis via guardian.co.uk Society on 9 August (same day, same newspaper)
Left to face a hostile world alone, it's little wonder that kids turn to gangs to provide a much-needed sense of belonging.

Hazel's comment:
These reports seem to be coming down heavily on the idea that mothers who go out to work create problems for society as a whole. I've said before, and I'll no doubt say again, that it depends very much on the care that those children get whilst mother (and presumably father) are out earning money. And my personal experience is that it depends on the child and the parent. I thought I'd brought up my children equably (or as near as one can given that the girls has, and have, very different personalities). One is happy to work full-time, and then some, with nursery provision when the kids were tiny and now au pair for before- and after-school care. They don't seem to be suffering and nor are they overly compensated by "things". The other daughter has steadfastly refused to consider working outside the home except during school term-time even though her child is now at secondary school. No problem there although this grandchild does seem to have more things rather than less!