ABSTRACT
Parents (N = 123; 90% Caucasian; 99% with college experience) of young children (ages 1–5) were asked to list the top three reasons for their childcare choices. Parents were also asked a hypothetical question about how their childcare choices would have changed if money were no object. Results showed that the majority of participants who chose parental at-home care did so mainly to spend more time and bond with their children. A majority of participants choosing nonparental childcare did so for child socialization reasons. In addition, most participants reported no desire to change their decision even if money were no object. However, the majority of those who would change their decision reported a desire for more, or different, nonparental care.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Jesica Ferguson
Jesica Ferguson has recently completed her M.S. in psychology at Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania.
Chanel Lampkins
Chanel Lampkins is an undergraduate student at Otterbein University in Westerville Ohio, majoring in psychology.
Brandon Moody
Brandon Moody is an undergraduate student at Otterbein University in Westerville Ohio, majoring in psychology.
Noam Shpancer
Noam Shpancer is professor of psychology at Otterbein University in Westerville Ohio.