A new study comparing the employment of mothers with children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) between the US and Norway reveals stark differences in maternal workforce participation. The research highlights the challenges faced by these mothers, with those in the US significantly more affected than their Norwegian counterparts. The study, published in the Maternal and Child Health Journal, attributes these disparities to the distinct welfare systems in both countries, which shape the ability of mothers to balance care responsibilities and employment.
The developmental condition known as ASD is characterised by issues with social interaction and communication, which frequently include repetitive behaviors. As its prevalence increases globally, families are grappling with the impact of caregiving, particularly when it comes to balancing work. The study found that mothers in both countries experience employment difficulties, but the extent of these difficulties differs substantially.
The U.S. data, derived from the 2019 National Survey of Children’s Health, and the Norwegian data from administrative registers, showed that American mothers are disproportionately impacted by their caregiving responsibilities. While US mothers of children with ASD are much less likely to be employed compared to mothers of children without special needs, Norwegian mothers fare better thanks to a more robust welfare system.
According to the findings, US mothers with children who have mild ASD symptoms were 12 percentage points less likely to be employed than mothers of children without health issues. This figure rises to 25 percentage points for mothers of children with moderate or severe ASD. In contrast, Norwegian mothers with children suffering from moderate or severe ASD experienced only a 13 percentage point reduction in employment rates compared to mothers without special needs children.
One significant factor in this employment gap is the welfare support available to families. The U.S., with its market-oriented approach, leaves families to arrange much of their caregiving, which complicates the ability to maintain employment. By contrast, Norway’s extensive welfare system offers state-sponsored childcare, generous parental leave, and institutional support, enabling mothers to participate more fully in the workforce. Norwegian family policies, designed to ease the burden of care, allow mothers of children with ASD to continue their professional lives with fewer disruptions.
As the study shows, the age and severity of the child’s condition also play a role in the employment status of mothers. In both countries, the likelihood of mothers being employed increases as their children grow older. But this pattern is much more pronounced in the US, where younger children with ASD pose greater challenges for maternal employment. The difference in employment rates between mothers of children with ASD and those without special health care needs narrows over time, but this happens at a slower pace in the US compared to Norway.
The research shows that national policies and social systems have a significant impact on the employment gap, which is not just a problem of individual circumstance. The Norwegian model, which promotes women’s participation in the workforce through institutional and cultural support, provides a clear contrast to the US system. The findings underscore the importance of welfare state provisions in enabling mothers to remain employed while caring for children with special needs.
