ABSTRACT
Social policy had been concerned with people who are disadvantaged or exceptional in some way. In contrast this research was designed to respond to commentators who have pointed to the need for greater understanding of the needs, resources and solutions which occur in the everyday life of all kinds of people. A central aspect of course is the special nature and rewards of relationships with children which can obscure or compensate for more negative aspects of women’s traditional roles. Particularly strong disapproval was expressed by many men and women towards working mothers. They assumed that such mothers neglected their children’s needs. Many shared care arrangements in both areas just entailed pair exchange whereby two mothers looked after each other’s children with more or less equal frequency. However, most parents in Milburn belonged to more extended swop networks or circles. The nature of network interactions influence children’s and parents’ responses to group care through their effects on social and emotional development.
