Rucker C. Johnson|Ariel Kalil|Rachel Dunifon
Employment Patterns of Less-Skilled Workers: Links to Children’s Behavior and Academic Progress
University of California, Berkeley|University of Chicago|Cornell University
using data five waves womens employment survey wes 19972003 examine links lowincome mothers employment patterns emotional behavior academic progress children find robust substantively important linkages several different dimensions mothers employment experiences child outcomes pattern results similar across empirical approachesincluding ordinary least squares child fixedeffect models without extensive set controls children exhibit fewer behavior problems mothers work experience job stability relative children whose mothers work contrast maternal work accompanied job instability associated significantly higher child behavior problems relative employment stable job children whose mothers work fulltime andor fluctuating work schedules also exhibit significantly higher levels behavior problems however fulltime work negative consequences children jobs require cognitive skills negative consequences completely offset work experience jobs require cognitive skills lead higher wage growth prospects finally fluctuating work schedules fulltime work noncognitively demanding jobs strongly associated probability child repeat grade placed special education