Associations between after-school arrangements and labour conditions of low-income working mothers in the United States

Over one-half of U.S. low-income working mothers utilize an array of after-school options, which impacts child development and their work conditions. However, many studies have focused exclusively on children’s development in after-school programs (ASPs). Therefore, we examined the relationship between different types of after-school care and low-income working mothers’ labour conditions which include working hours and months as well as the abilities to job shift and attend school/training. The study utilized the National Household Education Survey Programs: After-School Programs and Activities (2005) data and employed binary logistic and Ordinary Least Square Regression analyses. Sample units (N = 717) were low-income households utilizing any of the childcare arrangements. The study’s finding of a positive association between relative care and mothers’ working hours suggests a need for more public subsidies for working families using relative care as well as a need for financial incentives for relatives providing childcare. Additionally, for parents who cannot access relative care, the quality and quantity of ASPs in economically disadvantaged communities must be increased.