NCJ Number
81256
Date Published
1980
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This paper reports the evaluation of the 2-and-a-half-year pilot project in Lower Saxony (West Germany) to examine the effectiveness of paying families with young children childrearing support money as a long-range crime prevention measure.
Abstract
Program objectives were to ensure infants and young children the presence of a caring parent during their early formative period and to lessen the families' financial burdens. This approach, it was anticipated, would enable them to create positive relationships and an atmosphere conducive to the familial educational function. The monthly allowances ranged from 350 to 850 German marks for an 18-month period and were given on the condition that either parent agreed to cease employment outside the home. Some instruction in family life and parenting was also provided. Parents with a child under 1 year and who were employed full-time the year prior to the child's birth were eligible for the program. Evaluation interviews involved questioning program participants on household characteristics, childrearing practices and attitudes, organization of family life and time management, family planning, educational background, financial circumstances, and living conditions. In addition, public opinion surveys of 500 passers-by were held twice to ascertain the extent of public knowledge and approval of the program's possible extension nation or statewide. Most responses were positive. Client responses on program effectiveness revealed that the money was a genuine help to families, particularly to women who would otherwise have returned to work much earlier. Nevertheless, mothers expressed concern about absence from the work scene and missed their involvement in it, which indicates that financial assistance alone is not enough and that additional self-help and other support programs are needed by young families. Footnotes and one chart are provided.