The Relationship Between Geographic Region and Time Spent by Children in Self-Care Arrangements

Abstract

Is there an association between U.S. geographic region and the amount of time children spend in self-care (" latchkey") arrangements? We used a magazine-distributed questionnaire to obtain responses from 1,194 mothers who had children under age 14 in self-care. On each of three measures, families in Southern states made greater use of children's self-care arrangements; the relationship between geographic region and hours per week in self-care was statistically significant. The findings are also presented with controls for child's age and mother's hours of employment.