Navigating babysitting as liminal, gendered, and undervalued work. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Easterbrook, Riley; Raby, Rebecca; Lehmann, Wolfgang
• Is Part Of: Childhood. Volume 28:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 117
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Babysitting -- Canada -- child employment -- liminality -- qualitative research -- young worker; Children -- Periodicals; Child development -- Periodicals; Children -- Research -- Periodicals; 305.23
• DOI: 10.1177/0907568220953478
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0907-5682

Abstract

Babysitting is a common early-work experience in the West, yet there is little research on babysitters. From in-depth, qualitative interviews with 16 babysitters, we explore three themes related to liminality and gender inequality in babysitting. First, babysitting is a skilled job; many babysitters undertook formal and informal training and used it at work. Second, babysitters occupy a liminal position between childhood and adulthood, bringing challenges and opportunities at work. Finally, babysitters thoughtfully negotiate pay, but sometimes experience challenges doing so.