Striking a Balance

This study examines the connections between work, families, and early childhood education, and analyzes international trends and perspectives on parental leave. Chapter 1, "Introduction," shows that the increase in paid work by mothers makes families, work, and education important research and policy issues, and surveys reasons for this increase. Chapters 2 to 5 are international literature reviews that include research and policy documents from North America, the European community, Australia, the Nordic countries, and New Zealand. Chapter 2 introduces the literature reviews and discusses theories, models, and definitions of families, work, and education as used in the report. Chapter 3 reviews literature on the birth of the child and subsequent care by its parents in the early months of life, as well as parental involvement in paid work. Chapter 4 reviews international literature that links child care provision to the participation in paid work of parents with young children. Chapter 5 examines literature on the flexible forms of work undertaken by parents, especially part-time work by men and women. Chapter 6 focuses on case studies of employment and child care arrangements among New Zealand families. Chapter 7 analyzes patterns of paid work for two-parent families, from the early months of a child's life through late school. Chapter 8 summarizes the findings on leave, parents and paid work, related childhood education issues, and flexible workplaces and work practices. Chapters 1-7 contain references. (TM)