ABSTRACT
This chapter sets out the social, policy, and theoretical context to the research project. The current research focuses on the impact of parental employment and unemployment on children's educational and emotional well-being. The chapter reviews some of the historical trends and current patterns in women's employment, focusing particularly on how the relationship for women between marriage, motherhood and employment has been challenged. It provides a brief review of some of the evidence, focusing particularly on the mechanisms by which parental employment and unemployment effects children's outcomes. The chapter considers a number of potential theoretical explanations for trends and patterns in female employment, encompassing both supply- and demand-side factors. It reviews relevant government policy in this area, including maternity rights, pay and leave, the National Childcare Strategy, and welfare to work strategies. It also discusses some of the possible mechanisms of transmission, and outlines the theoretical framework adopted in the research, based on forms of capital approach.
