Abstract
This study investigates the work-life balance (WLB) struggles and social support mechanisms of white-collar working mothers through a qualitative phenomenological approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 college-educated, white-collar working mothers employed in corporate sectors in Istanbul, Turkey. Thematic analysis revealed three primary dimensions of maternal struggle: the "double burden" of professional and domestic responsibilities, intensive parenting expectations, and systemic workplace inflexibility. Furthermore, the study identifies critical informal and formal social support mechanisms, highlighting the heavy reliance on maternal grandparents and paid domestic help, alongside the psychological toll of balancing corporate careers with modern motherhood. The findings suggest that while informal networks offer immediate relief, sustainable work-life integration requires systemic corporate policies, cultural shifts in paternal involvement, and structural support systems. This research contributes to the literature on modern motherhood by illuminating the lived experiences of corporate-class mothers striving to align professional aspirations with intensive parenting standards.
