| Abstract: | Generally speaking, low income families have fewer resources from job income, human resources, and education. Due to financial shortage, it not only influences the parents but also the children in the household. To most families, children’s education is already costly, but to low income families it is a burden. Relatively to general families, children of low income families have less resource, less chances to experience different culture, and less cultural capital and human capital. In this constant cycle, poverty will remain generation after generation with no breakthrough. In Taiwan, there are few relevant studies on the allowance of child care. Although in Taichung, there are laws directed to help low income families maintain the minimum living standard and economic security, but these plans only support families with urgent needs. Thus, after understanding the importance of child care allowance on the low income families, the objectives of this research: (1) Understand the
current grant situation of child care allowance and its actual effects and changes on low income families; (2) Understand clearly the perspectives of low income families on child care allowance; (3) Understand what impacts child care allowance have on the financial aspect of the life of low income families; (4) Understand whether the life of low income families after receiving child care allowance has improved or not.
This research focuses quality research approaches using in-depth interview as the main method with parents of low income families who have gotten child care allowance as research participants. In Taiwan, different local governments have different approaches. The reason for using Taichung as the research location is because of its close proximity and it is also the central authority of the Children’s Bureau Ministry of the Interior R.O.C. In the year of 95, Taichung gave out child care allowance to 106 people and this research uses purposive sampling to study 10 individual cases from the city of Taichung.
After organization and analysis of the primary data from the 10 interviewee and with the collection and arrangement of domestic relevant references, it leads to the following points in the research conclusion:
1. Low income families will apply through various channels to obtain child care allowance.
2. The government agency’s administrative process on child care allowance remains to be assessed.
3. The government agency’s campaign on the approaches of child care allowance remains to be improved.
4. The standard for granting child care allowance is too strict.
5. Although child care expenses are a hefty burden for low income families, but child care allowance from government agencies has reduced that financial burden.
After all, low income families are a minority in our society. Thus, this study hopes to serve as a reference for future relevant researches and establishment of measures on child care allowance so as to accord with the needs, interests, and rights of low income families. |
