Who Benefits? Examining the Moderating Role of Race in Paid Family Leave's Relationship with Infant Neglect

Abstract

AbstractPaid family leave (PFL) policies provide caregivers with essential time away from work to care for their infants, potentially alleviating economic stressors that contribute to infant neglect. While prior research suggests that PFL reduces infant maltreatment risk, its relationship with neglect, specifically, remains understudied. This study examines whether PFL implementation influences neglect rates and whether this relationship varies by the racial composition of state populations from 2003 to 2022. We analyze state-level neglect data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, constructing a longitudinal panel dataset across 38 states and Washington, DC. Using mixed effects beta regression, we assess whether state-level shares of residents identifying as people of color (POC), Black, American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN), or Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) moderate the relationship between PFL and neglect rates. Findings indicate that overall, neglect rates increased from 2003 to 2022. Nevertheless, PFL states exhibited a significantly shallower growth in neglect compared to non-PFL states. State-level shares of POC residents moderated the effects of PFL on the trajectory of infant neglect. While PFL was associated with lower neglect rates, these policies’ effects were more pronounced in states with higher shares of POC residents. These findings suggest that PFL may serve as a protective factor against rising neglect rates, particularly in racially diverse states. This study underscores the need for policy approaches that account for structural inequities in access to family-supportive benefits.

Keywords: Paid family leave, Neglect, prevention, Racial Disparities, family policy