The link between daycare experience and attitudes toward daycare and maternal employment

Participants (n = 308; mean age = 20 years) completed questionnaires about their history, attitudes, and expectations regarding childcare, maternal employment and future parenting. Participants who experienced non-parental care as children had more favorable attitudes toward such care and toward maternal employment than did home-reared participants. A dose-response effect was identified, as increased time in care predicted more favorable attitudes toward it. Females in particular had significantly more positive attitudes than males toward non-parental daycare and maternal employment, as well as higher expectations regarding the rewards of parenting. Among several demographic variables considered in this study (including age, sex, year in college, employment status, parents' marital status, family size, and birth order), early child care history was the strongest predictor of attitudes toward childcare and maternal employment.