Please read Dr. Reichman’s article in Women’s Health Issues titled, “Early Childcare Precarity and Subsequent Maternal Health.“
Childcare precarity is a state of insecure and unreliable childcare arrangements while parents are working or in school. Among other hardships faced by families with young children, childcare precarity is unique, because it interferes directly with an adult parent’s ability to work or attend school, which can lead to work-family conflict, long-term income instability, and decreased economic opportunities, particularly for those who identify as mothers. Studies show that women assume the majority of childcare responsibilities. Thus, experiences of childcare precarity may take a particular toll on women’s health when persistent childcare-related disruptions to work or school routines upset important daily routines, eventually leading to poor physical and/or mental health outcomes. For example, unstable employment schedules have been associated with lower maternal sleep quality and happiness; income instability is known to worsen physical and/or mental health. Childcare instability—or unstable, fluctuating childcare arrangements—is understood as an important child health issue, with key associations with adverse behavioral health outcomes, poor social adjustment, and child maltreatment risk. Understanding the potential health consequences of the closely adjoining maternal experience of childcare precarity or, conversely, maternal access to emergency childcare support from family or friends, would inform strategies to improve women’s health and well-being. To read the full article.
Early Childcare Precarity and Subsequent Maternal Health. Duh-Leong C, Canfield CF, Fuller AE, Gross RS, Reichman NE. Womens Health Issues. 2024 Mar-Apr;34(2):115-124. PMID: 37978038 PMCID: PMC10978296 DOI: 1016/j.whi.2023.10.002