Parental Employment Patterns and Child Development Outcomes in Canada: A Longitudinal Perspective

• In Event: Social and Academic Adjustment in Early Childhood

Abstract

The association between parental employment and child developmental outcomes was examined by investigating the differential impacts of maternal vs. paternal employment patterns (type of work, job intensity) on a range of child outcomes (behavioral, socio-emotional, health, vocabulary, and math). The National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (Statistics Canada) was used to examine short-term (after 2 years) and long-term (after 8-10 years) effects, and the effects of early parental employment when children were aged 0-1 was specifically examined. Childcare arrangements, parenting styles, and socio-economic status (income, level of education, occupational prestige) were examined as mediators. Findings suggest differential impacts of mothers’ vs. fathers’ employment which appear to be influenced by the age and gender of the children when employment occurs.

Authors

• Zohreh Yaghoub Zadeh, Directions Evidence and Policy Research Group, LLP

• Antonia Andonova, Directions Evidence and Policy Research Group, LLP 

• Isabelle Eaton, Simon Fraser University

• Sonia Guerriero, Directions Evidence and Policy Research Group, LLP

• Charles S. Ungerleider, Directions Evidence and Policy Research Group