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.
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.
PhD
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Sociology
Educational Instructor, Sociology Program Manager, ARMS
Areas of interest: Gender & sexuality, Mental health, Occupational health, Occupations & organization, Work & occupations
Professor, Sociology Adjunct & Associate Member, Health, Aging & Society
Canada Research Chair in Mental Health and Work-Life Transitions
Areas of interest: Gender and sexuality, Social inequality, Social psychology
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.