Childcare Subsidies and Reduced Intimate Partner Violence Victimization: An Unintended Benefit

Abstract

Mothers in low-income households face an increased risk for intimate partner violence (IPV). The high costs of raising young children can create household conflict that makes violence more likely to occur. Furthermore, a lack of formal childcare can force women out of the workforce, rendering them financially dependent on partners. Childcare subsidies, which cover a portion of the expenses associated with center-based or in-home care for young children, can alleviate household economic strain and allow mothers to work, potentially reducing relationship conflict and promoting women’s financial independence to leave abusive partners. The present study investigated the link between mothers’ receipt of government childcare subsidies and IPV victimization. Data came from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a large longitudinal birth cohort study that sampled families from 20 large American cities. The analytic sample for the present study was limited to mothers who were income-eligible for a childcare subsidy in their home state and were in an intimate relationship at the year 3 interview when children were approximately 3 years old (N = 1,987). Path analysis with a latent dependent variable found that receipt of a childcare subsidy was associated with a significant decrease in IPV victimization (β = −.18, p < .05), controlling for a number of maternal and household characteristics. Maternal employment, parenting stress, and housing insecurity were associated with increased IPV, regardless of subsidy receipt. Findings suggest childcare subsidies are an important policy tool for targeting violence against women. Expansion of federal childcare subsidies may have additional unintended benefits for families.