The question, posed to mothers of minor children, was what would be ideal for you: working full time, part time, or not working. The 2007 data showed that among working mothers 60% would prefer part-time work, 20% each would prefer full-time work or not working. Among non-working mothers, the ideal preferences were 48% not working, 33% working part-time, and only 16% working full-time. Pew's headline is this: "Full-time work grows less attractive to moms."
These findings may begin to explain the salience of the "Ann Romney never worked a day in her life" comment. Lots of mothers view her life as the ideal, both for themselves and their children.
Pew also asked mothers how they rate themselves as mothers, those working full-time rated themselves lower. There are more findings having to do with women working, see the Pew article for these.
This is a beginning, but we need to know more, pollsters.
