The timing of motherhood: The challenge to social workers

The timing of the first birth has become a critical issue, to be addressed by the social work profession. This paper suggests that women who have timed the birth of their first child at two different stages in adulthood have responded to the challenges of motherhood in divergent ways. In order to work as effectively as possible with mothers and children, social workers need to understand these differences related to the timing of motherhood.Dr. Walter is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Widener University and is in private practice.