Physical and Cognitive Development in Children of Low-Income Mothers Working in the Child's Early Years

Abstract

CHERRY, FLORA F., and EATON, ETHEL L. Physical and Cognitive Development in Children of LowIncome Mothers Working in the Child's Early Years. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1977, 48, 158-166. Children of 200 low-income families were studied as to possible deleterious outcomes due to maternal employment in the child's first 3 years of life. In an 8-year follow-up, children of workers and nonworkers were compared as to weights and measures, IQ, reading, arithmetic and spelling achievement, and ITPA. Children of workers performed as well as nonworkers. Associations with maternal age, education, parity, subsequent fertility, per capita income, crowding index, household size, adult/child ratio, and presence of the husband were also examined as to maternal work status and the outcome variables. When controlled for maternal variables, 30 differences in outcomes were found, 27 of which favored children of workers. This study indicated there are certain advantages to children and families with limitation of procreation.