L13 - The interface between family life and social contexts outside the home Flashcards
Bronfenbrenners bioecological model?
- Non-parental childcare in the microsystem e.g daycare/neighbours etc.
- Interactions between parents and childcare in the mesosystem
- Macrosystem influences on childcare provision
How has childcare affected employment?
- Employment rates for mothers increase steadily
- Employment rates for mothers was greater than men without dependent children
- Some parents of 2-year olds are able to receive childcare and free early education
- Parents of 3-4 yo can claim 30 hours of free childcare
Is out-of-home childcare a risk factor for problems in children?
- Non-parental care may disrupt formation of attachment bonds esp, if in first year of life
- Peers can serve to stimulate the development of social skills BUT can also provide models for learning ad imitating problem behaviour
What was a study looking at childcare and development:
- Correlational study: 1300 children in various child-care arrangements since 1991
- 10 locations across US
- Measuring:
1) Characteristics of the families and childcare setting e.g 2 hours at daycare
2) Childrens social behaviour, cog dev and health
3) Childrens attachment to and interactions with their mother
RESULTS -
- Measuring:
- Found that more exposure to childcare = increased teacher-rated behaviour problems
- Higher quality childcare = higher vocab scores BUT parenting is stronger and more consistent predictor of child development
Can childcare protect against the impact of negative effects of early life adversity on emotional and behavioural problems?
- Poor maternal health = no effect of childcare
- Economic hardship = behavioural problems increased for those not in childcare, decreased for those who were
- Multiple adversities = emotional and behavioural problems increased for those in childcare
What are general study limitations?
- Large diverse samples and longitudinal designs BUT
- Childcare policies differ
- Children assessed at different ages
- Childcare quality differences
- What types of childcare are we comparing? Formal/informal?
What happens in France?
- Most children enter mandatory pre-school at age 3
- Early childcare is subsidised, universally available and high quality
- High number of places in centre-based childcare
What does the research show about france? (Study)
- 1428 kids were followed up from pregnancy to 8yo
- Either received: qualified childcare in a childminder, a centre-based nursery OR informal childcare
- Children in centre-based childcare had a lower likelihood of having high levels of emotional symptoms, peer relationship problems and low prosocial behaviours
- Attendance of centre-based childcare for 1+ year = protective levels of emotional, peer-related difficulties and low pro-social behaviours
- Girls and higher SES children experienced more benefits
- Those who were looked after by a childminder had a higher likelihood of following a high trajectory of conduct problems
What are mixed evidences about childcare?
- Childcare might be protective for disadvantaged kids, might not be the case for complex needs kids
- Quality of care is most important factor
- Highly variable due to countries, staff-child ratios, qualifications of staff and group sizes
Why does this research matter?
- Gov set policies that indirectly affect children’s lives by influencing incentives/barriers to how parents work
- Cost/quality of childcare
- Financial incentives that reduce childcare costs
- Periods of leave and capacity to share leaves
- Cost of living generally
Define Peers:
People of approximately the same age/status
Define Friendship:
- Intimate, reciprocal, positive relationship between 2 people
What is the difference between friends and family?
Friends are voluntary, characterised by mutual affection and liking
What are the services of friendships according to Stack in 1953?
Offer:
- Validation
- Affection
- Sensitivity growth
- Bolster feelings of self-worth
- Prototypes for other intimate relationships
What are the functions of friendships according to Rubin, 2004?
- Provide support, self-esteem enhancement, positive self-evaluation
- Emotional security
- Intimacy and affection
- Instrumental and informational assistance
- Companionship and stimulation
- An extra familial base of security to explore effects of their own behaviour on others
