A szülők munkavállalásának hatása gyermekeik jóllétére
The effects of parental employment on children’s wellbeing

Summary/Abstract: The effects of parental, especially maternal employment on children’s wellbeing is a controversial issue in the field of work-life balance. In our study we systematically review the international peer-reviewed literature from 2007–2017 that simultaneously examines parental employment and child wellbeing (cognitive skills, health, behaviour). Results show that parental employment may have either direct or indirect, positive or negative effects on children’s wellbeing. Unstructured, unfocused use of shared time which is reduced due to work may have a negative effect on wellbeing, as well as maternal work over 20 hours weekly in children’s early years, or if child care is provided by an unqualified person. Nonstandard work schedules or long work hours impact children indirectly in the case of mothers, and directly negatively in the case of fathers. Unemployment of fathers or their absence (when divorced) also has mostly negative effects on children’s wellbeing. The observed effects are mediated by socio-demographic characteristics of parents. Stereotypes regarding child wellbeing may influence social opinion on good parenting, thus parental behaviour. A successful work-life balance may have an impact on parents’ expectations of their children and the general home atmosphere, thus directly and indirectly on children’s wellbeing.

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