Final answer:
Employment enhances economic stability, which decreases the risk of child maltreatment by reducing financial and emotional stress in households and improving spending patterns on children's well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
Employment can contribute to economic stability, which decreases the risk for future maltreatment of the child. This concept is closely tied to the dynamics of household resource control and consumption. When a mother controls a larger share of family income, research has shown that there is more spending on child care, health, and well-being, and less on detrimental substances like alcohol and tobacco. Additionally, economic stability and employment can buffer against the financial and emotional stresses that may lead to an increased risk of child maltreatment. Factors such as who controls the household resources and the age and marital status of the parents play significant roles in the economic advantages and thereby impact the risk factors for child maltreatment.