Presented at the Annual Population Association of America Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 11-13, 2013

Changes in maternal employment, periods of economic decline, shifting work schedules, and the changing role of fatherhood are all associated with the use of father provided child care while the mother is at work.

Shifts in father provided child care appear to be related to fluctuations in the economy. In 2005, a non-recession year, 27 percent of fathers provided care compared to 32 percent in 2010 (a recession year).