Do Employed Females Provide Better Care to Their Children? The Case of Education and Health Care in Pakistan

Abstract

The role of women as mothers is essential because they look after their children round the clock, and their positive attitude influences their children's behavior. Mothers' participation in the labor force also increases family income and influences both the health and education of children. This research aims to analyze the females' participation in the labor force and their children's care in Pakistan. The study investigates the relationship between females' employment and their time allocation to activities related to child care. Primary data collected through a survey is used to compute the data on required variables. Activities related to child care, such as activities that influence a child's education and health, are examined. The ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model was used to check the relationship between females' employment, their children's education, and health care. The result shows a negative impact of females' age on child care. At the same time, there is a positive relationship between females' age square, education, family size, and child care. The assets of the family have a positive impact on child care, while the variable is statistically significant in assets quintiles one and two. Result also highlights that female belonging to urban areas has a positive influence on child care. Finally, female employment negatively affects child employment. The major conclusion is that the female's age and employment lead to a decrease the child care. However, females' education, family size, and assets have a positive influence on child care. It is suggested that government should establish lower cost care centers for increasing the participation rate of females in the labor market. Moreover, mothers should manage their time efficiently to ensure the better care of their children by avoiding extra personal activities. Finally, mothers should better monitor their children by providing the best quality to their children, and focus should be made on females' education for the better care of children.