Recent Census Bureau statistics indicate that the two-paycheck family is now the norm, even among families with young children. This study examined the effects during their childhood on their own career and family expectations of college students' (N=170) mothers' employment status. Subjects were divided into three groups on the basis of maternal work status during their childhood. Maternal work status was categorized as either full-time employment (N=46), part-time employment (N=50), or not employed (N=51). Subjects from single parent households were excluded when calculating results. Analysis of variance revealed that subjects viewed maternal employment as more beneficial to children if their mothers were employed full-time. Conversely, subjects whose mothers did not work viewed maternal employment as more detrimental to children. Female subjects with full-time employed mothers were significantly more likely to expect to work during their children's infancy and preschool years. Maternal work history did not affect female subjects' plans to work once their children reached school age and also did not affect males' expectations. Results also showed that subjects with unemployed mothers believed that their freedom while growing up was obstructed more than did subjects whose mothers worked part-time or full-time. (Author/LLL)