My experience is that the vast majority of software engineering jobs I see posted require full-time work. What I think would be helpful is getting away from th

My experience is that the vast majority of software engineering jobs I see posted require full-time work. What I think would be helpful is getting away from the notion that working 40 hours a week is somehow 'real work' and anything less is for students and housewives or single mothers who can't work more hours. That's a fact that's also reflected in less-than-proportionate pay which you get with may part-time jobs. So yes, while it may not be illegal to work part time, it's just not a realistic option for many people.