Abstract
M.Ed.
Many mothers enter the labour force because of the need for workers and the financial position of the family which is worsening in these highly inflationary times. Although this
might solve some financial problems in the family, it creates other problems, for instance child care. The question now arises as to how the adolescent daughter will form her own identity if her mother follows a career.
It is clear that the working mother has no easy task. Besides her career, she also has her children, her husband and a household to take care of. Furthermore, she has the task of helping her adolescent daughter with the formation of her own identity.
Two variables have been identified:
* the relationship between mother and daughter
* the identity formation of the adolescent daughter. An English and Afrikaans questionnaire was compiled based on these variables. The questionnaire was answered by 1086 girls and boys (Afrikaans, English and other language groups) between the ages of 12 and 18. Mothers were grouped into three categories, namely full time, part time and non - working mothers.
The most important findings of this study are the following:
* Working mothers develop a relatively better relationship with their adolescent children in comparison with non - working mothers.
* The relationship between mother and daughter develops relatively better than that of mother and son.
* Younger adolescent daughters develop a relatively better relationship with their mothers than older adolescent daughters.
* Afrikaans speaking adolescent daughters develop a relatively better relationship with their mothers than adolescent daughters of other language groups. Guidance to working mothers of other language groups seems to be necessary.
* The formation of the identity of adolescent children of working mothers develops relatively better than those of non working mothers. The averages of all the girls are quite high, which indicate that the mother - child relationship and the identity formation of the adolescent daughter develops well, irrespective of the mother's career.