Nonstandard work schedules and positive parenting: Evidence from China

Abstract Objective The present study examined whether and how the hourly (i.e., working nonstandard hours) and weekly dimensions (i.e., working on weekends) of nonstandard work schedules were associated with parents' positive encouragement, an important dimension of positive parenting. Background Research shows that positive parenting plays an important role in child development. However, given its time‐demanding nature, the rate of positive parenting can be affected by parental work arrangements. The expansion of the 24/7 economy in China raises a question about how nonstandard work schedules affect Chinese parents' positive parenting behaviors. Method This study used survey data from 14,381 working parents with school‐aged children in China. The associations between parental work schedules and positive encouragement were investigated using linear regression models, where interaction terms were subsequently added to scrutinize the moderating roles of the household registration system ( hukou ), parents' gender, and family structure. Results The findings showed that approximately a quarter of parents worked nonstandard hours, and nine in 10 experienced weekend work. Regression analyses found that parental weekend work was associated with lower levels of positive encouragement. The negative association was particularly salient among single‐parent families. However, working evening shifts, night shifts, rotating shifts, and irregular hours had nonsignificant relationships with positive encouragement. Conclusion These results indicate that working nonstandard schedules, particularly working on weekends, is family unfriendly for parents with school‐aged children. Implications Both policy and practice interventions are warranted to address the challenges posed by the growth of the 24/7 economy.