Perceptions of the Ideal Child among Employed and Nonemployed American and Filipino Mothers

Abstract

This study examined differences in 64 American and 58 Filipino employed and nonemployed mothers' perceptions of the ideal child, measured on Torrance's Ideal Child Checklist. There were no differences in perceptions of the ideal boy and girl among these groups: however, significant differences were found in perceptions of the ideal girl between employed and nonemployed mothers, regardless of culture. Employed mothers desired the ideal girl to be more confident, aggressive, well-adjusted than did the nonemployed mothers. The implications of these findings are discussed.