Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nonstandard Work Schedules and Parent-Child Interaction

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Out of Time

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Sociology ((BRIEFSSOCY))

  • 408 Accesses

Abstract

Many children live in households where either one or both parents work nonstandard schedules in the evening, night or weekend. In this chapter we tests two competing hypotheses of whether nonstandard schedules result in lower levels of parent-child interaction or in more time with children . Using the NKPS data of couples with young children (N = 1,266) and data from semi-structured individual qualitative interviews of respondents with children (N = 27), we engage in a series of ordered logit regression models and qualitative correspondence and narrative analysis. The central finding is that nonstandard schedules are significantly related to an increase in joint activities of parents and children and care-giving for fathers . Qualitative interviews reveal strategies families develop to maintain alternative times and types of contact. Couples use nonstandard schedules to desynchronize schedules to avoid formalized childcare and engage in ‘tag-team parenting ’ to ensure that one parent is always present.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Averett, S. L., Gennetian, L. A., & Peters, H. E. (2000). Patterns and determinants of parental child care during the child’s first three years of life. Marriage and Family Review, 29(2/3), 115–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, R. C., & Gareis, K. C. (2007). Shift work, parenting behaviors, and children’s socioemotional well-being: A within-family study. Journal of Family Issues, 28(6), 727–748.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, R. C., Gareis, K. C., & Brennan, R. T. (2008). Wives’ shift work schedules and husbands’ and wives’ well-being in dual-earner couples with children: A within-couple analysis. Journal of Family Issues, 29(3), 396–422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Becker, P. E., & Moen, P. (1999). Scaling back: Dual-earner couples’ work-family strategies. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 61, 995–1007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benzecri, J. P. (1973). Analyse des donnees (Vol. 1 and 2): Dunod.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bianchi, S. M. (2000). Maternal employment and time with children: Dramatic change or surprising continuity? Demography, 37(4), 401–414.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brayfield, A. (1995). Juggling jobs and kids: The impact of employment schedules on father’s caring for children. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 57(2), 321–332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carriero, R., Ghysels, J., & van Klaveren, C. (2009). Do parents coordinate their work schedules? A comparison of Dutch, Flemish, and Italian dual-earner households. European Sociological Review, 25(5), 603–617.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Champion, S. L., Rumbold, A. R., Steele, E. J., Giles, L. C., Davies, M. J., & Moore, V. M. (2012). Parental work schedules and child overweight and obesity. International Journal of Obesity, 36, 573–580.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Craig, L., & Powell, A. (2011). Non-standard work schedules, work-family balance and the gendered division of childcare. Work, Employment & Society, 25(2), 274–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daniel, S. S., Grzywacz, J. G., Leerkes, E., Tucker, J., & Han, W.-J. (2009). Nonstandard maternal work schedules during infancy: Implications for children’s early behavior problems. Infant Behavior Development, 32(2), 195–207.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, K. D., Crouter, A. C., & McHale, S. M. (2006). Implications of shift work for parent-adolocent relationship in dual-earner families. Family Relations, 55(October), 450–460.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denzin, N., & Lincoln, Y. (2003). Strategies of qualitative inquiry. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Desai, S., Chase-Lansdale, P. L., & Michael, R. T. (1989). Mother or market? Effects of maternal employment on the intellectual ability of 4-year-old children. Demography, 26, 545–561.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deutsch, F. M. (1999). Halving it all: How equally shared parenting works. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganzeboom, H. B. G., de Graaf, P. M., & Treiman, D. (1992). A standard international socio-economic index of occupational status. Social Science Research, 21, 1–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamermesh, D. S. (1996). The timing of work time: Evidence from the U.S. and Germany. Konjunkturpolitik, 42(1), 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, W. J. (2004). Nonstandard work schedules and child care decisions: Evidence from the NICHD study of early child care. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 19, 231–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, W. J. (2005). Maternal nonstandard work schedules and child cognitive outcomes. Child Development, 76(1), 137–154.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Han, W. J., & Fox, L. E. (2011). Parental work schedules and children’s cognitive trajectories. Journal of Marriage and Family, 73(5), 962–980.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Han, W. J., Miller, D. P., & Waldfogel, J. (2010). Parental work schedules and adolescent risky behaviors. Developmental Psychology, 46(5), 1245–1267.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Han, W. J., & Waldfogel, J. (2007). Parental work schedules, family process, and early adolescents’ risky behavior. Children and Youth Service Review, 29, 1249–1266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hook, J. L., & Wolfe, C. M. (2013). Parental involvement and work schedules: Time with children in the United States, Germany, Norway and the United Kingdom. European Sociological Review, 29(3), 411–425.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jamal, M. (2004). Burnout, stress and health of employees on non-standard work schedules: A study of Canadian workers. Stress and Health, 20, 113–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, P., & Bogen, K. (2007). Nonstandard schedules and young children’s behavioral outcomes among working low-income families. Journal of Marriage and Family, 69(February), 139–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalleberg, A. L., Reskin, B. F., & Hudson, K. (2000). Bad jobs in America: Standard and nonstandard employment relations and job quality in the United States. American Sociological Review, 65(April), 256–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kingston, P. W., & Nock, S. L. (1987). Time together among dual-earner couples. American Sociological Review, 52, 391–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • La Valle, I., Arthur, S., Millward, C., Scott, J., & Clayden, M. (2002). Happy families? Atypical work and its influence on family life. Family and Work: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesnard, L. (2008). Off-scheduling within dual-earner couples: an unequal and negative externality for family time. American Journal of Sociology, 114(2), 447–490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Long, S. (1997). Regression models for categorical and limited dependent variables. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maume, D. J., & Sebastian, R. A. (2012). Gender, nonstandard work schedules, and marital quality. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 33, 477–490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mennino, S. F., & Brayfield, A. (2002). Job-family trade-offs. Work and Occupations, 29(2), 226–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mills, M., & Täht, K. (2010). Nonstandard work schedules and partnership quality: Quantitative and qualitative findings. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(August), 860–875.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mott, P. E., Mann, E. C., McLoghlin, Q., & Warwick, D. P. (1965). Shift work: The social, psychological and physical consequences. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nock, S. L., & Kingston, P. W. (1988). Time with children: The impact of couples’ work time commitments. Social Forces, 67, 59–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • OECD. (2006). OECD factbook 2006: Economic, environmental and social statistics. Geneva: OECD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peladeau, N. (2007). QDA data miner. Canada: Montreal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perry-Jenkins, M., Goldberg, A. E., Pierce, C. P., & Sayer, A. G. (2007). Shift work, role overload, and the transition to parenthood. Journal of Marriage and Family, 69(February), 123–138.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Portegijs, W., Cloïn, M., Ooms, I., & Eggink, E. (2006). Hoe het werkt met kinderen. Moeders over kinderopvang en arbeidsparticipatie [How it works with children. Mothers talking about care and labor market participation]. The Hague: SCP.

    Google Scholar 

  • Presser, H. B. (1988). Shift work and child care among young dual-earner American parents. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50, 133–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Presser, H. B. (2000). Nonstandard work schedules and marital instability. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 62, 93–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Presser, H. B. (2003). Working in a 24/7 economy: Challenges for American families. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Presser, H. B., & Cox, A. G. (1997). The work schedules of low-educated American women and welfare reform. Monthly Labor Review, 120, 25–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riley, L. A., & Glass, J. (2002). You can’t always get what you want: Infant care preference and use among employed mothers. Journal of Marriage and Family, 64, 2–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulz, M. S., Cowan, P. A., Cowan, C. P., & Brennan, R. T. (2004). Coming home upset: Gender, marital satisfaction, and the daily spillover of workday experience into couple interactions. Journal of Family Psychology, 18, 250–263.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strazdins, L., Clements, M. S., Korda, R., Broom, D. H., & D´Souza, R. (2006). Unsociable work? Nonstandard work schedules, family relationships, and children’s well-being. Journal of Marriage and Family, 68, 394–410.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strazdins, L., Korda, R., Lim, L. L. -Y., Broom, D. H., & D´Souza, R. (2004). Around-the-clock: Parent work schedules and children’s well-being in a 24-h economy. Social Science and Medicine, 59, 1517–1527.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Gils, W., & Kraaykamp, G. (2008). The emergence of dual-earner couples: A longitudinal study of the Netherlands. International Sociology, 23(3), 345–366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, M. G., & Liss, M. B. (1988). Night shift work: Job and family concerns. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 3(4), 279–286.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, L., & Keith, B. (1990). The effect of shift work on the quality and stability of marital relations. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 52(May), 453–462.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winship, C., & Mare, R. D. (1984). Regression models with ordinal variables. American Sociological Review, 49(4), 512–525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, J. J., & Repetti, R. L. (2004). What gets dad involved? A longitudinal study of change in parental child caregiving involvement. Journal of Family Psychology, 18(1), 237–249.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wooddell, G., Forsyth, C. J., & Gramling, R. (1994). The impact of work schedule on the egalitarianism/life-satisfaction model: Offshore, shift work, and eight to five. International Review of Modern Sociology, 24(1), 127–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yeung, W., Sandberg, F., Davis-Kean, P., & Hofferth, S. (2001). Children’s time with fathers in intact families. Journal of Marriage and Family, 63, 136–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of International and Social Studies, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia

    Kadri Täht

  2. Department of Sociology, Nuffield College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Melinda Mills

Authors
  1. Kadri Täht
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Melinda Mills
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kadri Täht .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Täht, K., Mills, M. (2016). Nonstandard Work Schedules and Parent-Child Interaction. In: Out of Time. SpringerBriefs in Sociology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7402-4_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation