Motherhood Poll Results
In an Oprah.com poll, more than 15,000 women—both stay-at-home and working moms—opened up about their feelings on motherhood. Here are the results.
What stay-at-home moms say:Did your mother work outside of the home?
62% Yes
38% No
Does staying home put financial strain on the family?
57% Yes
43% No
Do you wish you worked?
36% Yes
64% No
Do stay-at-home moms get the respect they deserve?
5% Yes
85% No
Overall, are you satisfied with the job you are doing as a parent?
80% Yes
20% No
Would you describe your children as happy?
97% Yes
3% No
Do you secretly feel like you are cheating or failing your children?
36% Yes
64% No
Do you secretly feel like you are cheating or failing yourself?
55% Yes
45% No
Do you feel selfish when you consider your needs for personal or professional fulfillment?
54% Yes
46% No
Do you feel judged by family, friends or other moms?
56% Yes
44% No
Are you angry or disappointed about having to choose between work and your children?
25% Yes
75% No
Did you feel prepared for what you are now having to navigate as a mother?
44% Yes
56% No
Do you think parenthood is more or less stressful than it was when you were growing up?
83% More
0% Less
17% Same
Overall, do your children have a better childhood than you did?
63% Yes
10% No
27% Same
Is it possible to give 100% to motherhood and a career?
71% Yes
29% No
On a scale from 1 to 10—1 being poor and 10 being excellent—how good a job are you doing as a parent?
0% 1 poor
0% 2
1% 3
1% 4
6% 5
9% 6
21% 7
39% 8
18% 9
4% 10 excellent
How much help do you get from your spouse?
45% As much as I need
36% Some, but I wish it were more
13% Very little
5% None
What's more difficult, staying home with the kids or going to the office?
72% Staying Home
28% Going to the office
What's your household income?
7% Less than $20,000
15% $21,000 to $40,000
20% $41,000 to $60,000
17% $61,000 to $80,000
14% $81,000 to $100,000
26% Over $100,000