Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
Date Submitted: Apr 19, 2024
Open Peer Review Period: Apr 19, 2024 - Jun 14, 2024
Date Accepted: Oct 11, 2024
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Gender inequalities in employment of parents caring for children with autism spectrum disorders in China: Cross-Sectional Study.
ABSTRACT
Background:
The increasing need for child care is placing a burden on parents, including those with autistic children.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to examine the employment status of Chinese mothers and fathers with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), as well as investigate the factors influencing their employment decisions.
Methods:
An online national survey was completed by the parents of 5,018 ASD children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years (4837 dyads, 181 single mothers and 148 single fathers). The dependent variable was employment status: parent continued working vs. stopped working to care for their child. Independent variables were those characterizing the needs of the child and the socio-demographic characteristics of the family.
Results:
The employment rate of mothers with ASD children and adolescents was 37.3%, while 96.7% of fathers were employed. 53.6% of mothers resigned because of caring for their children, while only 2.8% of fathers resigned because of caring for their children. Mothers' employment was positively associated with their single marital status, lower educational degree, and having grandparents' assistance. Only having grandparents' assistance was positively associated with fathers’ employment.
Conclusions:
Gender inequalities in employment existed in China. Mothers caring for children with ASD showed lower workforce participation than fathers. More female-friendly policies and a stronger gender equality ideology were demanded in China.
Citation
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