Five major factors are responsible for the daycare industry increasing at a faster rate than the number of working mothers: growth in numbers of children under six, family changes causing decreased care by relatives, government funding, tax credits, and private initiatives, such as corporate and nonprofit-sponsored daycare. (SK)

Posits that work done by women in providing services for their families and society is not economically rewarded, is a distortion of reality, and one of the main causes of discrimination against women. Discusses the role of women in the economic growth of United States, United Kingdom, Hungary, Mauritius, USSR, and Egypt. (JOW)

As women become more independent, the responsibility for family care of children and elderly dependents is being shared by public or private out of home services. It is important, however, that the personal element of care not be lost. (Author/AOS)

Reviews three areas of research relevant to the impact of women's changing status on children's development: infant competence, maternal employment, and group care of very young children. Concludes that women's increasing social participation will not harm but rather benefit children, as long as comprehensive family support services are provided.…

Data from a nationally representative sample of 55,000 households were used to examine effects of selected background variables on use of substitute care by employed women with infants under one year old. Although all background variables were significantly related to choice of substitute caregiving arrangements, degree of association was only…

Illustrates the role of the family in linking sociopolitical changes to adolescent development by outlining some differences in structures of families of East and West Germany. Synthesizes survey data on this topic. Areas discussed include family formation, unmarried couples and parents, maternal employment, public child care, divorce and…

The central issue discussed in this paper on policy issues in early childhood education concerns the locus of primary responsibility for the care and rearing of the infant and young child. To provide an analytic basis for decision-making in early childhood education, the author (1) describes the serious and deepening societal problems that appear…

This paper reports on a 1-year cross-cultural project designed to compare alternative modes of child care and child care programs in Sweden, Israel, and China with those in the United States. Based upon data available in documents pertaining to children, interviews with scholars involved in research on child care programs, and on-site observations…

To clarify issues in the controversy in Sweden concerning the means and ends of family policy, this article analyzes the economic plight of Swedish families with children, elucidates the views of parents and politicians, discusses the changing role and status of women, and considers prospects for the future. Also discussed are work equality and…

More women have entered the job market than ever before. With the current socioeconomic changes and with more women attaining education, the number of working women is going to increase rapidly. Most of the working women are of childbearing age and have both preschool and school-age children. While women have to work, it is becoming rather…

This paper reports on research designed to explore the status of children and the relationship of patterns of child care to social structure and social change. The study is based on interviews with scholars and government officials, an analysis of statistical data and research reports, and visits to day care centers, playgrounds, and other…

These essays are the first of an annual series that brings to the public the distinctive views and approaches of the humanities to urgent issues of the day. David Rothman, in "Lessons from an Opium Eater," examines how the nineteenth-century confessions of a famous English opium addict, Thomas De Quincey, has relevance to the present, how it might…

This fact sheet presents an overview of current and projected changes in American family life, along with implications of those changes for home economics educators. Topics which are covered include: (1) changing family structures; (2) working women and homemakers; (3) family problems such as divorce, adolescent sexuality and pregnancy, violence…

This paper examines the ability and inclination of contemporary American family systems to allocate resources on a child-centered rather than an adult-centered basis. Specifically, the discussion considers whether the changing economic context of family life results in placing inappropriate demands for maturity upon children--albeit differently…

This paper summarizes theories of American family organization, points out social changes that have had an impact on family structure, and discusses implications of current social and political conditions for child care policy. It is suggested that monistic characterizations of the family, emphasizing self-sufficiency and only one kind of family…