A study was conducted to explore the relationship between a mother working outside the home and the amount of television a child views. It was hypothesized that the hours of television viewed by a child would be positively related to the amount of television viewed by (1) the female head of household, (2) the male head of household, (3) the number of television sets in the home, and (4) the age of the child. Research was based on a secondary analysis of Arbitron Television diary data collected in the Chicago market area (ADI) during February 1982. Final sample size was 735. Results suggest that the amount of television viewed by the child was positively related to the viewing levels of both female and male heads of household, and that children in multiple set households tend to view more television than children in single set households. In addition, findings showed that mothers who work outside the home watch less television and so do their children. Age of the child did not appear to be a factor in how much television was viewed. Findings suggest that researchers should devote increased attention to the role that television plays in the environment of family communication. (DF)