Poor parents?: the realities of work-life balance in a low-income neighbourhood

The article explores the work-life balance policy agenda as it has emerged in post-industrial societies, such as the UK, and it reports on a small-scale study of the experiences and expectations of work-life balance in a low-income inner-London neighbourhood. From the study certain general issues are identified relating to the inconsistency of employers' practices and the currently fragmented nature of childcare provision. And certain issues of particular relevance for low-earning parents are identified, relating to the implications of the UK's new tax credit schemes and the dearth of effective independent advice provision.