Jean Kimmel () (Western Michigan University, IZA Bonn) Lisa M. Powell (University of Illinois at Chicago)
Abstract
The focus of this paper is to examine the interplay between nonstandard employment (i.e., shift work) and child care choice decisions of married mothers with young children. We contribute to the child care choice literature by examining the impact of nonstandard work on the child care choice decisions of mothers taking into account the likely endogeneity of nonstandard work. Also, we examine the extent to which child care prices simultaneously affect work status (no work versus standard work versus nonstandard work) and child care choices. We draw on the 1992/93 Survey of Income and Program Participation to estimate two distinct econometric models of child care choice. 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.
Download Info
To download:
If you experience problems downloading a file, check if you have the
proper application to
view it first. Information about this may be contained
in the File-Format links below. In case of further problems read
the IDEAS help
page. Note that these files are not on the IDEAS
site. Please be patient as the files may be large.
Volume (Year): 32 (2006) Issue (Month): 3 (Summer) Pages: 397-419 Download reference. The following formats are available: HTML
(with abstract),
plain text
(with abstract),
BibTeX,
RIS (EndNote, RefMan, ProCite),
ReDIF
Contact details of provider: Postal: c/o Iona College, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, New York 10801-1890 USA Phone: (914) 633-2088 Fax: (914) 633-2549 Email: Web page: http://www.iona.edu/eea/ More information through EDIRC