Download full text
(external source)
Citation Suggestion
Please use the following Persistent Identifier (PID) to cite this document:
https://doi.org/10.1080/14616696.2016.1153698
Exports for your reference manager
Parenthood, child care, and nonstandard work schedules in Europe
[journal article]
Abstract An increasing proportion of the European labor force works in the evening, at night or on weekends. Because nonstandard work schedules are associated with a number of negative outcomes for families and children, parents may seek to avoid such schedules. However, for parents with insufficient access ... view more
An increasing proportion of the European labor force works in the evening, at night or on weekends. Because nonstandard work schedules are associated with a number of negative outcomes for families and children, parents may seek to avoid such schedules. However, for parents with insufficient access to formal child care, working nonstandard hours or days may be an adaptive strategy used to manage child-care needs. It enables ‘split-shift’ parenting, where parents work alternate schedules, allowing one of the two to be at home looking after the children. This study examines the prevalence of nonstandard work schedules among parents and nonparents in 22 European countries. Specifically, we ask whether the provision of formal child care influences the extent to which parents of preschool-aged children work nonstandard schedules. Using data from the European Social Survey and multilevel models, we find evidence that the availability of formal child care reduces nonstandard work among parents. This indicates that access to formal child care enables parents to work standard schedules. To the extent that nonstandard work schedules are negatively associated with child well-being, access to formal child care protects children from the adverse effects of their parents’ evening and night work.... view less
Keywords
parenthood; child care; working hours; flexibility; nightwork; weekend; parental involvement in education; division of labor; gender-specific factors; family policy; Europe
Classification
Family Sociology, Sociology of Sexual Behavior
Free Keywords
nonstandard schedules
Document language
English
Publication Year
2016
Page/Pages
p. 295-314
Journal
European Societies, 18 (2016) 4
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/10419/193636
ISSN
1469-8307
Status
Postprint; peer reviewed
Licence
Deposit Licence - No Redistribution, No Modifications