Working mothers in Malta and how childcare centres may impact on their decisions about their work

Abstract

Nowadays, more women are resuming their career after having children and because of this increase, childcare has become an important issue for public debate (Saraceno, 2011). Some mothers may choose to work outside the home for their well-being or financial needs. Childcare centres services can easily help working mother regain their independence and improve their career. However, because the amount of income a parent earns can be effectively reduced by the cost of childcare, subsidies may play an important part in enabling more mothers make use of childcare centres. This qualitative study aims at understanding the experience of mothers in paid employment and making use of childcare centres. The objective of the study was to analyse mothers' decisions to join or re-enter employment, the factors affecting the decision of working mothers making use of childcare centres and the relationship between the provision of incentives for childcare by the government and female participation. Five semi-structured interviews were conducted with working mothers. Although mothers in general find fulfilment in their paid work, it can be clearly noted that the main reason for returning to work was financially. Findings showed that mothers are choosing to send their children to childcare centres to be able to join the work force. However, mothers were influenced by cultural beliefs that their parents were still adhering to. This resulted in delaying the mothers' decision to send the child to a childcare centre. Moreover, mothers showed an interest in the increase of childcare benefits by the government. Hence, this study recommends the increase of childcare benefits and flexibility at work especially in the private sector.