Do work conditions of women influence their children well-being and school success ?

Introduction
In Canada, like in other OECD countries, women are very active in the labor market, even when they have young children. Links between work conditions of the parents or the mother and childhood are rare to find. This paper examines how work conditions and job transitions of women may explain differences in the level of well-being and school success of their children at primary school age (6-11).

Methods
Two major sources of data are used: 1) Canadian data from a longitudinal survey (Statistique Canada) gathering 3 467 children across Canada. The parents had been interviewed three times within 6 years (from age 5 to age 11) about their employment and work conditions and the well-being and school success of their children; 2) We also conducted a transversal study (province of Quebec) gathering 1002 children. The parents had been interviewed and more details were asked about work conditions. 

Results
The results show gender differences between the effects of some work employment conditions. Women who begin to work when the child is older (10-11) appear as a protection factor for school success. Children of mother having changed the annual amount of weeks worked (more weeks or less weeks) appeared less numerous to succeed at school. The findings are not the same for the father. About work conditions physical fatigue and exposition to noise are associated with less school success and less well being for children. Lower decision latitude in the job is associated to less school success for the children. 

Discussion
Beyond the possible effects of work on workers' safety and health, this study shows how work associates to children well-being and school success. This study shows how it is important to consider other variables than work schedules for promoting work-family balance.