Catherwood LibraryILR School

In a report issued today, the U.S. Census Bureau revealed that among mothers with infants, the percentage that go to work decreased by four percent from 1999 to 2000---the first such decrease since records of these numbers have been kept. Census demographers attribute this decrease in part to a growing feeling of career security among the older, white, educated women among whom the percentage taking time off to be with their newborns increased the most. Other factors possibly contributing to the increase included the high salaries and job security brought about by last year's tight labor market, and the rising costs of childcare.