Using Kin for Child Care

In Lynet Uttal article Using Kin for Child Care; Embedment of Socioeconomic Networks, she provided a new explanation for why mothers of color were more likely to use kin to help them raise their kids than white mothers. Uttal argued that structural, cultural and most importantly integrative explanations played a major role in why there were differences among childcare practices between families.

Cultural played a role in if families used their family members as a source of childcare or if they used an outside source. In a study conducted by Uttal showed that White women thought it would be inappropriate and even in some cases problematic if they used family members as childcare providers, whereas, African American and Mexican American that is was not problematic and they actually preferred it.

Although this information would support that cultural playing a major role, Uttal made it clear that structural limitations played a factor as well. Many mothers, even those who practiced childcare with family members, did not think it was the ideal childcare situation. In many cases, family members used as child care providers seen as last resorts because families could not afford anyone else.

The majority of White families did not use childcare because of financial limitations but because of guilt. White families believed that their family members would see the task of taking care of their children as a burden, and therefore did not want to put it on them. Because of their perception of children as being white families also felt like they were in debt to members who did help out with childcare. In an attempt to avoid owing a lot of favors, they did not ask family for their help in raising their children.

Another factor that was addressed in the White families decision to not use family members as child care providers was ideology. Many parents felt they held different expectations and child rearing philosophies than their parents and family members. They did not want to jepardize there child being exposed to things they disapproved. Many white families felt like they had more control over strangers than their parents and older relatives when it came down to requesting the child rear practice they preferred.

Overall, Uttal proved a great case of why the integration of cultural and structural relationship must be looked at when looking at who is caring for families children when the parent is not around.