A 2014 Pew Research Center study found that 60 percent of Americans believe children are better off when a parent is at home, and only 21 percent of adults say the trend of more mothers of young children working outside the home has been good for society.

Therein lies the paradox of our time: While a majority of Americans believe that children fare better when their mothers stay home full-time, the majority of American moms work.

But take heart, working moms: Science is on our side. Studies show mothers, children, and marriages benefit when moms work and earn.

Harvard professor Kathleen McGinn

In this episode, I interview Kathleen McGinn, Harvard Business School professor behind the recent Harvard study of 50,000 adults from 25 countries that found growing up with a working mother improves future prospects, especially for adult daughters who grow up to earn more, and sons grow into men who spend more time on child and home care. Prepare to have your guilt assuaged and mind BLOWN!

“What this research says to us is that not only are you helping your family economically—and helping yourself professionally and emotionally if you have a job you love—but you’re also helping your kids,” says McGinn. “So I think for both mothers and for fathers, working both inside and outside the home gives your kids a signal that contributions at home and at work are equally valuable, for both men and women. In short, it’s good for your kids.”

Learn more on this article about McGinn here on the Working Moms Mean Business.

This is a special episode from the Working Moms Mean Business series, brought to you in partnership with BBVA Compass. I am so proud to be part of this project that explores the triumphs and challenges of professional moms (after all, 70 percent of moms with children under age 18 work!).

Explore the 10 special Working Moms Mean Business podcast episodes here.

Read or download the free (mega) book written by me:Free from Guilt: Why Moms Have it, and How to Conquer It,which is all about why so many of us struggle with being working moms, even though most of us need to work to live, and science says kids, families, marriage, society and moms thrive when we work. 

Other episodes in the series:

Dealing with the staggering costs of child care

Rachel Cruze: #blessed vs BLESSED

How moms can be killer at business and MOMMING 

Are breadwinner moms good for families?

Can moms close the gender gap in STEM fields?

Samantha Ettus: Stop feeling guilty, work is good for you

The post Fact: Working moms are good for kids. Stop the guilt! appeared first on Emma Johnson.