Parental work schedules and children’s daily activities : evidence from Spain

Abstract

This study uses data from the 'Spanish Time Use Survey' (2009-2010) on two-parent families with children aged 10-16 (N = 593) to analyse the links between parental work schedules and children's activities with developmental implications. Spain is a particularly interesting case as working during evening hours is highly institutionalised for parents. Results reveal that mothers' evening work hours are associated with a reduction in children’s time spent on family activities and on educational activities, and with an increase in time spent watching television and doing electronic activities without their parents. However, the associations between maternal evening work hours and children’s activities generally apply only to children with less-educated mothers, not to children with highlyeducated mothers. Fathers' work schedules have generally insignificant associations with children's time use. Overall, the study suggests that parental work schedules, parents' gender, and social background intersect in influencing children's activities, with key implications for their present and future wellbeing.