Social capital is a theoretically confusing concept, but one which nonetheless has much to offer as a potential measure of the strength of societies. It is in need of theoretical examination. This paper outlines the major theoretical aspects of social capital in relation to its three main component parts - values (such as trust), the...

Though they are related, the price, cost, consumption and value of children are not the same. In this paper Bruce Bradbury explores two aspects of the relationship between these concepts. Even if we restrict attention to the domain of commodity consumption, the cost of children is not the same as children's consumption. In this context...

Households provide their members with both financial support and caring services. In sole parent households, the vast majority of which are headed by women, the functions of earning money and caring for children fall to one individual. The risk that sole mothers may fail to perform either or both of these functions adequately has made...

New South Wales is experiencing a shortage of early childhood trained staff in children's services for children under school age. Research has consistently identified the employment of qualified staff as an indicator of good quality child care. Prue Warrilow, Karen Fisher, Katherine Cummings, Jennifer Sumsion and Cynthia a'Beckett investigated the extent and reasons for the...

There is increasing interest in men's involvement in child care due to declining popular support for the traditional sexual division of labour, greater 'gender equity', men's own increased interest in fathering, and corporations seeking to become 'employers of choice' for skilled employees. Michael Bittman, Sonia Hoffman and Denise Thompson review the advantages and disadvantages for...