The Effect of Child Care Programs on Women in the United States

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Keywords

women, workforce participation, child care, poverty, economy, children

Major

Political Science

Abstract

Compared to other developed nations, women in the United States are significantly behind on the global stage in terms of workforce participation and, as a result, economic welfare empowerment and advancement, in part due to the absence of a universal child care system in the United States. The child care crisis has garnered attention from citizens and researchers in recent years due to its multifaceted impact on economic stability, families, childhood development, and workforce participation. This draws the question: how much do each state's child care policies affect women's economic welfare and workforce participation? Although previous research has measured the specific effects of the child care crisis on varying factors, general research regarding the effects of child care services between states in order to determine the impact of child care on workforce discrepancies and economic factors pertaining to women is limited. Furthermore, research concerning these topics tends to group the United States together as a whole, providing general implications regarding the lack of a universal child care system yet failing to provide insight into current child care systems that may be working. Research in this study utilizes four years of off-the-shelf data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, focusing on variables such as the federal medical assistance percentage and child care eligibility block grant threshold in order to determine how much these factors have an effect on women in the workforce. By undertaking a comparative study, there is potential to unveil specific aspects of child care services in particular states that could offer insights into the correct way to maneuver policy reform.

Faculty Mentor

Karie Riddle

Funding Source or Research Program

Academic Year Undergraduate Research Initiative

Location

Black Family Plaza Classroom 189

Start Date

22-3-2024 4:00 PM

End Date

22-3-2024 4:15 PM

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Mar 22nd, 4:00 PM Mar 22nd, 4:15 PM

The Effect of Child Care Programs on Women in the United States

Black Family Plaza Classroom 189

Compared to other developed nations, women in the United States are significantly behind on the global stage in terms of workforce participation and, as a result, economic welfare empowerment and advancement, in part due to the absence of a universal child care system in the United States. The child care crisis has garnered attention from citizens and researchers in recent years due to its multifaceted impact on economic stability, families, childhood development, and workforce participation. This draws the question: how much do each state's child care policies affect women's economic welfare and workforce participation? Although previous research has measured the specific effects of the child care crisis on varying factors, general research regarding the effects of child care services between states in order to determine the impact of child care on workforce discrepancies and economic factors pertaining to women is limited. Furthermore, research concerning these topics tends to group the United States together as a whole, providing general implications regarding the lack of a universal child care system yet failing to provide insight into current child care systems that may be working. Research in this study utilizes four years of off-the-shelf data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, focusing on variables such as the federal medical assistance percentage and child care eligibility block grant threshold in order to determine how much these factors have an effect on women in the workforce. By undertaking a comparative study, there is potential to unveil specific aspects of child care services in particular states that could offer insights into the correct way to maneuver policy reform.