Fig. 1
Different meanings of work described in the in-depth interviews
| Meaning of work | Source of income | Attractive activity | Professional career |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motives for work | Financial security—to become self-sufficient and to provide for a family; social and health insurance | A break from domestic chores—to be around people, to develop, to do something more challenging than housework | To pursue ‘a career’—to achieve self-realisation through work, high income, high positions at work (promotions) |
| Most central attributes (dimensions) of work | Stability, security | Interesting job (in line with one's interests), lack of stress, good working environment | High salary, long working hours, deep involvement in work |
| Relation to motherhood | A necessary prerequisite to childbearing | Activity compatible with motherhood | Activity incompatible with motherhood |
Sample structure_ Basic characteristics of the interviewed women (n = 26)
| Characteristic | Categories | Number of women |
|---|---|---|
| Parity | Childless | 19 |
| One child | 7 | |
| Union status | Married | 13 |
| Cohabiting | 6 | |
| No co-resident partner | 7 | |
| Education | Tertiary education (BA, MA) | 13 |
| Secondary general | 7 | |
| Secondary professional | 5 | |
| Primary | 1 | |
| Economic activity | Employed full time/part time | 16 |
| Self-employed | 2 | |
| Unemployed | 4 | |
| Studying | 3 | |
| Parental leave | 1 | |
Basic characteristics of the 26 interviewed women
| ID | Age | Education | Employment status | Relationship status | Parity (age of a child) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W003f | 26 | Master | Employed part time | Married | 0 |
| W004f | 25 | Basic (8 years) | Self-employed | Married | 0 |
| W009f | 22 | Bachelor | Employed full time | Married | 0 |
| W016f | 24 | Master | Employed full time | Cohabiting | 0 |
| W017f | 25 | Master completed and studying | Employed full time (fixed term contract) | Married | 0 |
| W018f | 29 | Master completed and studying | Employed full time | Married | 0 |
| W019f | 29 | General secondary completed and studying | Employed full time | Married | 0 |
| W020f | 27 | Master | Employed full time (trial period) | Married | 0 |
| W023f | 26 | General secondary completed and studying | Employed full time | Cohabiting | 0 |
| W024f | 24 | Secondary professional | Employed full time | Cohabiting | 0 |
| W025f | 28 | Master | Employed full time | Cohabiting | 0 |
| W026f | 29 | Bachelor | Employed full time | Married | 0 |
| W102f | 26 | General secondary | Self-employed | Married | 1 child (1) |
| W105f | 29 | Secondary professional | Employed full time | Married | 1 child (8) |
| W106f | 27 | Secondary professional | Parental leave | Married | 1 child (2) |
| W107f | 28 | Master | Unemployed | Married | 1 child (3) |
| W110f | 26 | Secondary professional | Unemployed | Married | 1 child (4) |
| W112f | 28 | Master | Employed full time | Cohabiting | 1 child (2) |
| W114f | 30 | General secondary | Unemployed | Cohabiting | 1 child (4) |
| W901f | 25 | Secondary professional | Unemployed | LAT | 0 |
| W908f | 22 | General secondary completed and studying | Studying | LAT | 0 |
| W911f | 24 | Bachelor completed and studying | Employed full time | LAT | 0 |
| W913f | 20 | General secondary completed and studying | Studying | LAT | 0 |
| W915f | 23 | General secondary completed and studying | Studying | LAT | 0 |
| W921f | 28 | Master | Employed full time | LAT | 0 |
| W922f | 28 | Master | Employed full time | Single | 0 |