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Wanting It All: Career, Marriage, and Motherhood During College-Educated Women's 20s

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Abstract

College women's expectations for career, marriage, and motherhood were assessed during the senior year, and their outcomes were assessed 7 years later. In 1993, 118 White women and 82 Women of Color were randomly selected from 5 northeastern colleges and interviewed in person. In 2000, 178 (89%) were reached for second interviews by telephone. Results indicate that as seniors the women wanted careers, marriage, and motherhood. Career development was the priority of their 20s. At the 7-year point, marital status was unrelated to advanced degrees attained or to career status, but mothers had significantly fewer advanced degrees and lower career status than nonmothers. Socioeconomic status, race, and intentions concerning career and family were related to career status and motherhood status.

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Correspondence to Michele Hoffnung.

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Hoffnung, M. Wanting It All: Career, Marriage, and Motherhood During College-Educated Women's 20s. Sex Roles 50, 711–723 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:SERS.0000027572.57049.ff

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