The 2011 Social Issues Research Centre survey The Changing Face of Motherhood found what about mothers who work?

• A. Fathers are more involved in childcare than mothers.
• B. Mothers are twice as likely to be involved in childcare as fathers.
• C. Childcare involvement is equal between mothers and fathers.
• D. Mothers are less involved in childcare when working full-time.

Answer: (B)

This question tests how childcare duties are shared between working mothers and fathers. The finding that mothers are twice as likely to be involved in childcare as fathers shows that, even when mothers work, they remain the main caregivers. It reflects persistent gender norms about who should take primary responsibility for children, with fathers contributing more than in the past but not at parity with mothers.

So the statement that mothers are twice as likely to be involved in childcare as fathers best captures the reported relationship. It isn’t saying fathers dominate, nor that involvement is equal, nor that mothers reduce their involvement when working full-time.