Moms' roles today

Americans have conflicting perceptions about mothers' roles in the working world, according to a new poll by the Shell Oil Co. Fifty-one percent of women surveyed said it's fine for a mother with young children to work if she can handle her family obligations. Still, 43 percent of women said a mother who can afford it should stay at home with her children.

Most men and women agree that working mothers face more stress than stay-at-home moms.

Fifty-eight percent of women said they do all or most of the house chores. Most men, however, said housework is shared or done mostly by them.

(c) Copyright 2000. The Christian Science Publishing Society