The Consequences of Living in Childcare Deserts: Evidence from Canada
The Consequences of Living in Childcare Deserts: Evidence from Canada
Our study addresses whether working parents with young children living in childcare deserts experience greater work-family conflict and psychological distress compared to those in more resourced areas. We use 2011 individual-level data from Toronto matched to census and administrative childcare data.
Results suggest that mothers experience greater conflict than fathers when in high-resourced areas.
Fathers who work long hours and reside in a desert report greater psychological distress than fathers in nondeserts. These patterns are contrary to the observed results for mothers’ distress by childcare availability. Our study underscores the impact of childcare options and the importance of access for all.
Researchers
Marisa Young
PhD
Associate Professor, Sociology
Adjunct & Associate Member, Health, Aging & Society
Graduate Chair, Sociology
Canada Research Chair in Mental Health and Work-Life Transitions
Citation
Young, M., Montazer, S. and Singh, D. (2020), The Consequences of Living in Childcare Deserts: Evidence from Canada. Canadian Review of Sociology/Revue canadienne de sociologie, 57: 550-578. Available online here.