A1 Journal article (refereed)
Rational or emotional decisions? Parents’ nonstandard work hours and the justifications for using informal childcare (2024)

Peltoperä, K., & Moilanen, S. (2024). Rational or emotional decisions? Parents’ nonstandard work hours and the justifications for using informal childcare. Community, Work and Family, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668803.2024.2398589

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Peltoperä, Kaisu; Moilanen, Sanna

Journal or series: Community, Work and Family

ISSN: 1366-8803

eISSN: 1469-3615

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 03/09/2024

Volume: Early online

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13668803.2024.2398589

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/96989

Abstract

This study examined whether the number of weekly childcare arrangements for under-school-aged children is associated with parental nonstandard hours (e.g. evenings, nights, or irregular schedules) and the reasons and justifications parents working nonstandard hours give for using informal care arrangements. Using cross-sectional survey data of 359 Finnish parents with children aged 0–6 years, we found that nonstandard work hours, compared with standard daytime hours, were associated with a higher number of weekly care arrangements for children under 5 years old. Qualitative parental interviews (N = 27) further revealed three justifications for using informal care: ‘Leaning on parents’ values and desires’, ‘Disclaiming from actions potentially harming the child’, and ‘Balancing parents’ needs and the moral aspects of using informal childcare’. Our findings highlight that parents of young children tend to rely on multiple childcare arrangements during nonstandard work hours even in a country with a comprehensive institutional early childhood education and care (ECEC) infrastructure and affordable tax-based provision of around-the-clock care (i.e. extended hours ECEC). Furthermore, emotional-based reasons related to ensuring child well-being were emphasised over rational-based ones when parents provided justifications for using informal arrangements during nonstandard hours.

Keywords: early childhood education and care; child care; day care; nonstandard hour child care

Free keywords: childcare decisions; early childhood education and care (ECEC); emotional choice theory; informal childcare; nonstandard work hours; rational choice theory

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1