Associations between after-school arrangements and labour conditions of low-income working mothers in the United States

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2021

Abstract

Over one-half of U.S. low-income working mothers utilize an array of after-school options, which impacts child development and their work conditions. However, many studies have focused exclusively on children’s development in after-school programs (ASPs). Therefore, we examined the relationship between different types of after-school care and low-income working mothers’ labour conditions which include working hours and months as well as the abilities to job shift and attend school/training. The study utilized the National Household Education Survey Programs: After-School Programs and Activities (2005) data and employed binary logistic and Ordinary Least Square Regression analyses. Sample units (N = 717) were low-income households utilizing any of the childcare arrangements. The study’s finding of a positive association between relative care and mothers’ working hours suggests a need for more public subsidies for working families using relative care as well as a need for financial incentives for relatives providing childcare. Additionally, for parents who cannot access relative care, the quality and quantity of ASPs in economically disadvantaged communities must be increased.

Publication Title

Journal of Family Studies

Volume

27

Issue

2

First Page

303

Last Page

320

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1080/13229400.2019.1588142

ISSN

13229400

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