This study investigated the effects of maternal employment on beliefs and attitudes of suburban and urban middle school students in addition to their comparative levels of self-esteem. A 5-part survey, including demographic information, beliefs about consequences of maternal employment of children; information about the mother's work status; childhood appraisal scale; and Rosenberg's Self-Concept Scale was administered to 38 sixth grade urban students and 38 sixth grade suburban students. The results indicated that both urban and suburban female students perceived significantly greater benefits associated with maternal employment. No differences in perceived costs of maternal employment were found. Urban students were significantly less influenced by their fathers than suburban students. No differential admiration of mothers was noted between the groups, although significantly more suburban than urban mothers were employed in professional jobs. Female students expressed greater admiration for their mothers' accomplishments and had a greater desire to imitate their mothers. During their children's infancy, a greater number of females than males expected not to have outside employment. However, once their child reached school age, both males and females expected to have at least part-time employment outside the home. (Contains 14 references.) (Author/JDM)