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Care strategies among high- and low-skilled mothers: a world of difference?

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  • Maja Debacker

    (University of Antwerp, Belgium, maja.debacker@ua.ac.be)

Abstract

The aim of this article is to gain better insight into the care strategies of mothers with varying qualification levels. The analysis is focused on the determinants of work—care decisions in the Belgian region of Flanders. It hypothesizes that schooling level is a crucial factor. Additionally, given the intense debates in the care literature provoked by the work of Catherine Hakim, particular attention is devoted to how personal preferences interact with schooling level. The results reveal a more subtle effect of personal preferences than is suggested by Hakim. Personal preferences impact on the work—care choices of mothers with lower qualifications but not on the choices of high-skilled mothers. Moreover, low-skilled mothers remain constrained in their choices since they cannot afford full-time formal care. The results indicate that personal preferences, rather than being the most crucial factors, impact on the work—care choices of mothers within the boundaries of structural constraints.

Suggested Citation

  • Maja Debacker, 2008. "Care strategies among high- and low-skilled mothers: a world of difference?," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 22(3), pages 527-545, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:22:y:2008:i:3:p:527-545
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017008093476
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Joris Ghysels, 2004. "Work, Family and Childcare," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 3504.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

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    2. Wim Van Lancker, 2013. "Putting the child-centred investment strategy to the test: Evidence for the EU27," Working Papers 1301, Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp.
    3. Jurga Bucaite-Vilke, 2021. "Family Choices on Welfare and Territorial Disadvantages: The Perception of the Child Care Services Approach in Urban and Rural Areas," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(3), pages 21582440211, July.
    4. Dirk Konietzka & Michaela Kreyenfeld, 2010. "The growing educational divide in mothers’ employment: an investigation based on the German micro-censuses 1976-2004," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 24(2), pages 260-278, June.
    5. Wim Van Lancker & Joris Ghysels, 2013. "Great expectations, but how to achieve them? Explaining patterns of inequality in childcare use across 31 developed countries," Working Papers 1305, Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp.
    6. Schober, Pia & Scott, Jacqueline, 2012. "Maternal Employment and Gender Role Attitudes: Dissonance Among British Men and Women in the Transition to Parenthood," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 26(3), pages 514-530.
    7. Julie Vinck & Wim Van Lancker, 2020. "An Intersectional Approach towards Parental Employment in Families with a Child with a Disability: The Case of Belgium," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 34(2), pages 228-261, April.
    8. Antje Röder & Mark Ward & Carmen-Adriana Frese, 2018. "From Labour Migrant to Stay-at-Home Mother? Childcare and Return to Work among Migrant Mothers from the EU Accession Countries in Ireland," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 32(5), pages 850-867, October.

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