Examining Cost Fulfillment: Child Care Policy and Strategies

ABSTRACT

Most advanced industrialized countries have established social support to aid families in balancing productive and reproductive labor during child-bearing years. Secondary data analysis was used to examine patterns of public support for low-income working families. Key findings highlight four types of policy strategies (Conservative, Limited, Average, and Universal) suggesting differentiated social citizenship opportunities based on place of residence. This research highlights how a complex policy environment contributes to unintended consequences as the working poor are exposed to child care and employment instability. Future research should consider how the policy environment contributes to material well-being in families during the life course.

KEYWORDS:

• Child care
• gender
• employment
• social policy

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was supported in part by a dissertation grant from the U.S. Administration for Children and Families, Child Care Bureau, Research Scholar Grant #90YE0061, and the University of Washington School of Social Work.