Maternal Nonstandard Work Schedules and Young Child’s Time Use in Singapore

• In Event: Asia and Asian American Section Roundtables Session
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 12: Asia and Asian America Section Roundtable - Work and Labor

Abstract

This study examines the associations between maternal nonstandard work schedules and young children’s time use in Singapore, considering weekday-weekend differences and the role of parental and nonparental care. Drawing on preschool children’s time diaries from the 2018/2019 Singapore Longitudinal Early Development Study (SG-LEADS), this study finds that on weekdays, maternal NSWS is associated with more parent-involved time with children, particularly in daily care, unstructured play, and active activities. On weekends, nonparental care complements parental care mainly in daily care and unstructured passive activities. Children of SWS mothers have less parent-involved time on weekdays but more engagement in achievement-oriented activities with nonparents, and more parent-involved time on weekends, especially in non–screen-based passive and social activities. This study suggests that maternal work schedules shape the use of parental and nonparental care and how families adjust children’s time use across weekdays and weekends. Findings also imply potential disadvantage and inequality, as different maternal schedules are associated with distinct caregiving patterns emphasizing structured and enriching versus unstructured or passive activities, potentially influencing children’s developmental trajectories.

Authors

• Melody Ge Gao, Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

• Wei-Jun Jean Yeung, National University of Singapore