Abstract:
Though women are about more than half of world population, their Socio-economic and health
statuses are highly affected by different factors like childbearing and childrearing. Most of the
time childbearing and childrearing are considered as activities that never affect women’s life
status. However, the reality is not as said. Literatures show that motherhood affect women’s
education, income, health and social interaction. Hence, this study was intended to investigate
the impact of childbearing and childrearing on SES of women in Jimma Genete district, one of
the districts in Oromia National Regional State. In this study, both quantitative and qualitative
research approach were used. The primary data were collected using survey, in- depth interview,
focus group discussion and case studies. A total of 400 women respondents were covered by the
questionnaire survey. Fifteen (15) women informants were also deeply interviewed where as five
(5) focus group discussions and five (5) case studies were undertaken to collect qualitative data.
To analyze the quantitative data Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used. The
findings of the study revealed that the majority of respondents were uneducated and attended
only until grade four (61%), and house wife (50%). This study found that due to their
motherhood responsibility, women’s educational, income, health and social interaction status
were affected. Finally, society should be given awareness about the negative impacts of
motherhood on women’s socio-economic and health statues and men should equally share with
women activities related to childrearing and Create awareness about family planning and
optimal ages for childbearing that will improve women’s health, income, educational and social
interaction statuses were forwarded as recommendations based on the findings of the study.
Keywords: Jimma Genete District, Socio-economic and Health Statuses of women, Motherhood
