Final answer:
The overall quality of childcare provided is the critical factor in determining the impact of maternal employment on children's developmental outcomes. High-quality childcare can counteract potential disparities in cognitive and language development caused by varying levels of parental interactions and socio-economic backgrounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The critical factor affecting whether maternal employment is associated with cognitive, language, or social problems in young children is c. the overall quality of childcare provided. Research indicates that high-quality childcare can significantly impact a child's language and cognitive development positively, particularly important during early childhood education.
Studies such as those by Hart and Risley (2003) demonstrate that children from different socioeconomic backgrounds experience divergent levels of parental interaction, leading to a substantial difference in word exposure and achievement by age three. High-quality childcare can help mitigate these disparities by providing enriching interactions and learning opportunities. Policies supporting accessibility to high-grade childcare, like preschool and kindergarten programs and subsidies, can improve outcomes for children whose mothers are part of the workforce.
Fitzpatrick's research (2010, 2012) shows that well-structured universal prekindergarten programs have positive effects on children's development and allow mothers to participate in the workforce with less concern for their children's early learning experiences. Ensuring that childcare settings encompass varied socioeconomic backgrounds can also boost language growth among low-income children, as seen in studies by Schechter & Byeb (2007).