Kossek, E. E., Perrigino, M., & Rock, A. G. (2021). From ideal workers to ideal work for all: A 50-year review integrating careers and work-family research with a future research agenda. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 126. Web.
The article summarizes the literature that looks at the development of work-family study over the last fifty years and suggests a research agenda for the future. It indicates that academics and researchers in work-family research are the authors’ target demographic. The writers do not appear to have a bias in their point of view and indicate to tackle their review from an impartial viewpoint. They draw attention to the shortcomings and gaps in earlier studies, arguing that deeper and more in-depth investigation is required to improve the discipline (Kossek et al., 2021). The information provided in this source complements the material from the articles by Ruppanner et al. (2021) and Zangger et al. (2021).
The authors discuss the significance of comprehending the intricate interplay between work and family relationships, including how gender roles and stereotypes may do so. The article by Kossek et al. (2021) covers a wide variety of subjects, including the development of work-family research, current trends, and upcoming research requirements. It also has the potential to make people more knowledgeable about subjects they were previously unaware of, such as the necessity of more interdisciplinary research that considers the intricate relationships between sex and status in work-family relationships.
Ruppanner, L., Collins, C., Landivar, L. C., & Scarborough, W. J. (2021). How do Gender Norms and Childcare Costs Affect Maternal Employment Across US States? Gender & Society, 35(6), 910–939. Web.
The research by Ruppanner et al. (2021) examines the effect of childcare expenses and gender norms on maternal employment throughout US states. The authors investigate the relationship between these elements and maternal employment rates using data from the Current Population Survey as well as state-level gauges of gender ideology and childcare expenses. Even after accounting for childcare expenses and other factors, the research shows that more conservative gender norms are linked to lower maternal employment rates. In contrast, greater maternal employment rates—particularly for mothers of younger children—are correlated with higher childcare expenses.
Researchers, decision-makers, and practitioners interested in learning how gender norms and childcare expenses affect maternal employment are the article’s target audience. The authors speculate that this might be because mothers need to work for financial reasons due to high childcare expenses. This research helps people comprehend the intricate interactions between childcare costs and gender norms that influence maternal employment levels in the US. A more detailed grasp of the difference in maternal employment rates across the nation is made possible by using state-level data. However, due to the correlational structure of the analysis, the study is constrained in its capacity to prove causality.
Zangger, C., Widmer, J., & Gilgen, S. (2021). Work, childcare, or both? Experimental evidence on the efficacy of childcare subsidies in raising parental labor supply. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 42(3), 449–472. Web.
The research by Zangger et al. (2021) examines how well childcare supports affect the availability of parental labor. In a controlled, randomly selected experiment that the authors carried out in Switzerland, participants were divided into three groups at irregular intervals. Three groups were involved: a work-related expenditure group that received subsidies, a childcare expense group that received subsidies, and a control group that did not receive any subsidies. The authors discovered that compared to the control group, the group getting childcare subsidies had a higher rate of labor force involvement. However, there was no discernible distinction between the control and work-related support groups.
Understanding the effect of childcare funding on parental labor force participation is helped by this research. The study’s randomized managed experiment design strengthens it by reducing possible confounding factors. However, the study’s representativeness is constrained because it was carried out in Switzerland and might not be applicable to other nations with distinct policies and cultures. Altogether, the research proves that childcare subsidies boost parents’ participation in the labor force. However, more study is required to look into these supports’ long-term impacts and analyze their influence on various outcomes, including family well-being and child growth.