ABSTRACT

In order to understand Latina mothers’ choices of childcare for their children ages birth to five, a qualitative study of 42 Latina mothers (ages 18 to 43) from Southern California was conducted. Research has found that work status, school status, mother’s level of education, acculturation, household composition, income level, and neighborhood resources play a role in how mothers choose childcare for their children. A descriptive analysis based on these six factors is presented. In order to capture a more in-depth understanding of Latina mothers’ choices of childcare, a Funds of Knowledge framework was used. This research found that choices of childcare differed for infants and preschool-aged children with Latina mothers preferring to stay home and care for their infants while preferring a combination of care for their preschool-aged children where their child attends a preschool center to obtain academic and social experience. This study also found that Latina mothers’ childcare choices were complex and influenced by confianza (trust), the mothers’ upbringings, and value in their child’s education and socialization. While these factors were important, finding a balance meant financial sacrifices. Implications for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers are discussed.

摘要

为了了解拉丁裔母亲为其 0 至 5 岁的孩子选择的托儿服务，对来自南加州的 42 名拉丁裔母亲（年龄 18 至 43 岁）进行了定性研究。研究发现，工作状况、学校状况、母亲的教育水平、文化适应、家庭构成、收入水平和社区资源在母亲如何为孩子选择托儿服务方面发挥着重要作用。提出了基于这六个因素的描述性分析。为了更深入地了解拉丁裔母亲对儿童保育的选择，使用了知识基金框架。这项研究发现，婴儿和学龄前儿童的托儿选择不同，拉丁裔母亲更喜欢呆在家里照顾他们的婴儿，同时更喜欢为学龄前儿童提供综合照顾，他们的孩子在学前班中心获得学业和社会经验。这项研究还发现，拉丁裔母亲的育儿选择很复杂，并受到 confianza（信任）、母亲的教养以及对孩子的教育和社会化的价值观的影响。虽然这些因素很重要，但找到平衡意味着经济上的牺牲。讨论了对从业者、政策制定者和研究人员的影响。这项研究还发现，拉丁裔母亲的育儿选择很复杂，并受到 confianza（信任）、母亲的教养以及对孩子的教育和社会化的价值观的影响。虽然这些因素很重要，但找到平衡意味着经济上的牺牲。讨论了对从业者、政策制定者和研究人员的影响。这项研究还发现，拉丁裔母亲的育儿选择很复杂，并受到 confianza（信任）、母亲的教养以及对孩子的教育和社会化的价值观的影响。虽然这些因素很重要，但找到平衡意味着经济上的牺牲。讨论了对从业者、政策制定者和研究人员的影响。