Opting Back In: Chinese Women's Professional Success and the Support of Grandparent Caregivers

In Chinese families, child-rearing responsibilities predominantly fall on mothers, reinforcing an unequal gender division of labor within the household and placing women in a vulnerable position in the labor market. To balance work and family, many mothers rely on additional childcare support, with grandparents serving as the most critical source of assistance. This study examines the impact of grandparental childcare on maternal labor market outcomes in China, with a focus on differences between only-child mothers and those with siblings, as only-child mothers often benefit from greater access to support from their own parents due to their unique position as sole offspring. Using data from six waves of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study reveals three key findings: (a) both maternal and paternal grandparental childcare significantly boost women's labor market outcomes; (b) only-child mothers are more likely to receive childcare support from maternal grandparents; and (c) the positive effects of grandparental childcare on labor market outcomes are particularly pronounced for only-child mothers, especially when the support comes from maternal grandparents. This study underscores the vulnerable position of working mothers, particularly those with young children, while demonstrating how the advantages of being an only daughter extend into adulthood. It offers new insights into how evolving family structures, shaped by China's one-child policy, continue to influence maternal employment and broader labor market dynamics. © 2025 by the author(s).