Teresa Mauldin

Sex Differences in Children's Time Use.

A sample of children (410 on a school day and 347 on a non-school day) was examined to determine differences in time spent in household work, leisure activities, school, paid work, personal care, and sleep by males and females. Males spent more time in leisure activities and less time in household work and personal care than females. Differences in time allocation appeared to be in accordance with traditional male-female roles. These patterns were established at early ages.

Children's Time in Structured and Unstructured Leisure Activities

Using the 1981 Time Use Longitudinal Panel Study data, this study examines factors which influence childrens time use in leisure activities. More time is spent in unstructured than structured leisure activities. Analysis of variance is performed on 32 categories of leisure time, including total leisure, to determine the influence of characteristics of the child and the mother and other socioeconomic characteristics. Males spend significantly more time than females in active sports, playing games, and passive leisure especially watching television on weekends. Females spend significantly more time than males socializing on weekends. The amount of time spent socializing increases with age but decreases with employment. Time spent playing games decreases with age, increases with number of children, and decreases as family income increases. Given the large number of children who do not participate in a given set of leisure activities, future research should examine the probability of participation.

The Effects of Economic Pressure on the Resilience and Strengths of Individuals Living in Extreme Poverty

Economic pressure has negative effects on families living in poverty that require much resilience and strength to cope. Although the strengths perspective upholds many human service values, literature on how it can be used to build resilience of these families is scarce. This exploratory study reports on the relationship between the constructs of economic pressure and resilience among N = 194 individuals living in extreme poverty. The authors found a significant relationship between economic pressure and resilience, with higher economic pressure being associated with less resilience. However, family income was not a significant factor between economic pressure and resilience. Discussion is directed toward practice, policy, and research in enhancing the resilience and strengths of families living in extreme poverty.

Time allocation of one- and two-parent mothers

Using data from one- and two-parent households with two children in rural and urban areas of California, this study analyzes time allocation decisions in market work, household work, and leisure activities among single and married mothers. Results of the seemingly unrelated regression procedures indicate that family structure affects time in household work but not market work or leisure activities. Of the socio-demographic variables, only day of the week explains time allocation to household work, market work, and leisure activities among single and married mothers.

Saving for Success: Financial Education and Savings Goal Achievement in Individual Development Accounts

Using microdata from the American Dream Demonstration, the current study examines factors associated with savings and savings goal achievement (indicated by a matched withdrawal) among participants of individual development account (IDA) programs. Multinomial logit results show that hours of participation in financial education programs, higher matched caps, prior use of a savings account, and greater educational attainment are each associated with a greater likelihood of savings and savings goal achievement. IDA programs need to maximize available resources, particularly financial education, to assist participants in achieving savings goals.

The Effect of Human Capital on the Economic Status of Divorced and Separated Women: Differences by Race:

This study investigated the impact of investments in human capital on the economic well-being of black and white women immediately following marital disruption. It also explored the extent to which the observed differences in income between the two groups were due to differences in the levels of qualities (endowments) or differences in the impact of these qualities (discrimination). The average differences in endowments explained almost two-thirds of the income gap between black and white women. Most of this explanatory power was due to differences in educational attainment, work experience, and region.

Predisposing, Enabling, and Need Predictors of Community versus Institutional Long-Term Care

Abstract This research explored characteristics of the elderly that are associated with the use of long-term care services. Using the 1999 National Long Term Care Survey, logistic regression was employed to examine the relationship of race with the use of formal and informal long-term care. This study also examined the relationship of health insurance with the use of formal and informal long-term care. The Andersen Model on health services utilization was used as the theoretical framework. The findings indicated that race was not associated with the use of long-term care but rather with predisposing, enabling, and need variables. Health insurance was found to be associated with the use of long-term care even after controlling for predisposing enabling and need variables.

Mother's Employment Status, Family Income, and Children's Time Allocation

This study examined the effects of mothers employment and family income on the decision for children to participate in structured leisure activities and, given participation, the amount of time allocated to structured leisure activities. Tobit regression was used to analyze data on 149 children who did not participate and 197 children who participated in structured leisure activities. Mothers employ ment was found to have a negative effect on childrens time allocation decisions related to structured leisure activities. Family income was not significantly related to time spent in structured leisure activities. Changes in the explanatory variables had a greater influence on the decision to participate than on the variation in time allocated once participating.

The Influence of Financial Factors on Motivation to Save among Poor Individuals

This cross-sectional study of N = 194 low-income individuals compared socio-demographic and finance-related factors between those who reported having a motivation to save and those who did not report having some motivation to save. Theories and factors related to saving are reviewed. Logistic regression tests found that paying rent with cash, using voluntary income tax assistance to prepare taxes, and witnessing parents save money through financial institutions were positively associated with the likelihood of having a motivation to save. Overall, the study supports the significance of financial socialization and institutional mechanisms of saving. Discussions are directed toward efforts to help lower income families save.

Exits from poverty among rural and urban black, hispanic, and white young adults

In recent decades, poverty among persons l iving in rural or nonmetropolitan areas has declined, but poverty in these areas is still higher than that of metropolitan areas, j From the mid-1980s to 1990 the economic performance of nonmetropolitan areas lagged behind that of metropolitan areas, with slower economic growth, higher unemployment, and greater underemployment. 2 Since 1990, the earnings, income, and poverty gaps have declined slightly as has the unemployment rate in rural areas. 3 However, when the economic conditions of minorities are analyzed over the same time period, Blacks and Hispanics have been significantly worse-off than Whites. On all economic measures--per capita income, median family income, poverty status, earnings, and employment status--minorities are worse off than Whites in both rural and urban areas, and in most cases, are worse off than their urban counterparts. 4 While a substantial amount of research has analyzed rural and urban poverty, most studies have examined cross-sectional data. Little is understood about differences in the dynamics of poverty among individuals and families in rural and urban areas. Ignoring poverty dynamics such as duration in poverty among the poor results in an incomplete understanding of the nature of poverty and the extent of need of those experiencing it. Duration of poverty refers to the number of years in which individuals