Nonstandard Work and Child Care Choices of Married Mothers

Authors

Jean Kimmel, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment ResearchFollow
Lisa M. Powell, Queen's University

Publication Date

12-1-2001

Series

Upjohn Institute Working Paper No. 01-74

**Published Version**

In Eastern Economic Journal 32(3)(Summer 2006): 397-419.

DOI

10.17848/wp01-74

Abstract

The focus of this paper is to examine the interplay between nonstandard employment and child care choice decisions of married mothers with young children. We draw on the 1992/93 Survey of Income and Program Participation to estimate two related econometric models of child care choice that include the choice among center, sitter, relative and parental care. First, controlling for the potential endogeneity of the nonstandard work decision, we find that being a nonstandard worker significantly reduces the likelihood of using formal modes of child care such as center and sitter care. In our second model, where we jointly estimate the work status and child care choice decisions of mothers, we find that the standard versus nonstandard work decision is more responsive to the price of child care. Finally, we conclude the paper by discussing potential policy solutions to improve the child care options for mothers with young children working in nonstandard jobs.

Issue Date

December 2001

Note

First presented at conference "From Welfare to Child Care: What Happens to Infants and Toddlers When Single Mothers Exchange Welfare for Work" on May 17-18, 2001. Conference sponsored by Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Pierce Memorial Fund, Cornell University institute for Labor Market Policies, The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Family and Child Well-being Network, and the Russell Sage Foundation

Sponsorship

Funding from the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Subject Areas

EDUCATION; Early childhood; Childcare; LABOR MARKET ISSUES; Employment relationships; Nonstandard work arrangements; Work and family balance