The Importance of Childcare for Working Mothers
Regardless of the reason why a mother needs to leave her child with a carer, there are many factors that contribute to this. Some of these factors include Gender, Formal vs informal care, and the effects of child care subsidies.
Gender sensitivity
Getting women into the workplace and back into the workforce is a tough slog. The arrival of a baby can mean a career break, a transition to part-time work, or a transition into self-employment. But before you dismiss the idea of a gender-sensitive workplace, consider the benefits of child care and how it can strengthen your workforce.
There are many factors that go into determining whether or not a woman will return to work, including her household’s financial situation, her personal characteristics, her job’s flexibility, and her societal attitude towards gender roles. It’s a tricky balance to strike, and many women are left feeling stuck in a cycle of unemployment. The world’s biggest gender gap is in professional fields, and research suggests that women still have to do the bulk of the caregiving.
Formal vs informal care
Among working mothers, the choice between formal and informal care is often a personal one. Some parents choose informal care because they cannot afford formal care and want flexibility. Others prefer to leave their children with a formal caregiver. However, they may not have access to high-quality formal services.
Some studies have shown that children in informal care are less likely to receive the same level of learning as those in formal settings. Some reasons for this are different children, different learning levels, and different family backgrounds.
Informal care is typically less expensive than formal care. Some countries offer a means-tested carer’s allowance for informal caregivers, allowing them to prepare for their post-care lives. Others have introduced “family friendly” policies such as the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act. However, many informal caregivers still start a new role without training.
Peer care
During the perinatal period, only 17-25% of women receive formal mental health support. However, there is promising evidence for peer support in this area. Peer support is defined as sharing experiences and resources with other women. It can support mothers’ parenting confidence, reducing isolation and improving retention with existing mental health programs.
Peer support can also provide support to perinatal mothers who experience depression, anxiety, and other emotional and behavioral disorders. Peer support can help reduce symptoms by providing structure and reminders to stick to plans.
Peer support is also effective in reaching out to populations that are underserved by formal treatment. Peer support can help mothers overcome obstacles to health care system engagement. This can lead to a positive, de-stigmatising focus on mental health support.
Impact of childcare subsidies on mothers’ employment
Various policies have been developed to encourage greater participation of mothers in the labour market. One of the most common policies is subsidizing day care centres. Increasing access to child care can have a substantial impact on mothers’ economic independence. Providing access to high-quality child care can improve the life prospects of children from less privileged backgrounds.
The impact of childcare subsidies on mothers’ employment decisions has been explored in a number of studies. These studies were conducted using different methodologies. In a factorial survey experiment, household income from other sources was experimentally manipulated to examine the impact of child care subsidies.
The results showed that childcare subsidies increase mothers’ labour supply, although the impact is not overwhelmingly significant. The increase in labour supply is greater among parents of lower social status.
If you’re a working mom overwhelmed by your duties and responsibilities, enrol your child to a North Lakes child care centre.