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Child Care, Maternal Employment, and Public Policy

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  • Sandra L. Hofferth

    (Institute for Social Research and co-director of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics at the University of Michigan)

Abstract

Increased work requirements in new welfare reform legislation may further increase the demand for child care in the United States. Consequently, this article focuses on (1) the relationship between child care and self-sufficiency, particularly among low-income mothers; (2) factors affecting the demand for and availability, cost, and quality of child care that parents use; and (3) the part played by public subsidies in the availability, cost, and quality of child care. Low-income mothers' ability to achieve self-sufficiency depends on the availability of reliable child care, for they want the same types of care that middle-class mothers want. The federal government has played an important part in making child care available and affordable and also contributes to its quality. Much of the funding, however, has gone to middle-income or poor nonemployed parents. Child care for working poor and working-class parents is the important missing piece.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandra L. Hofferth, 1999. "Child Care, Maternal Employment, and Public Policy," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 563(1), pages 20-38, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:563:y:1999:i:1:p:20-38
    DOI: 10.1177/000271629956300102
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jean Kimmel, 1998. "Child Care Costs As A Barrier To Employment For Single And Married Mothers," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 80(2), pages 287-299, May.
    2. Sandra L. Hofferth & Douglas A. Wissoker, 1992. "Price, Quality, and Income in Child Care Choice," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 27(1), pages 70-111.
    3. David M. Blau & Alison P. Hagy, 1998. "The Demand for Quality in Child Care," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 106(1), pages 104-146, February.
    4. Connelly, Rachel, 1992. "The Effect of Child Care Costs on Married Women's Labor Force Participation," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 74(1), pages 83-90, February.
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