Fathers' Parental Leave-Taking, Childcare Involvement and Mothers' Labor Market Participation

25 Pages Posted: 29 Oct 2018 Last revised: 21 Apr 2023

Abstract

This study analyzes the effect of fathers' parental leave-taking on the time fathers spend with their children and on mothers' and fathers' labor supply. Fathers' leave-taking is highly selective and the identification of causal effects relies on within-father differences in leave-taking for first and higher order children that were triggered by a policy reform promoting more gender equality in leave-taking. Results show that even short periods of fathers' parental leave may have long-lasting effects on fathers' involvement in childcare and housework. Effects on maternal labor supply are also significantly positive but do not persist over time.

Keywords: parental leave, childcare, female labor supply, gender differences, policy evaluation

JEL Classification: H31, J13, J22

Suggested Citation

Tamm, Marcus, Fathers' Parental Leave-Taking, Childcare Involvement and Mothers' Labor Market Participation. IZA Discussion Paper No. 11873, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3273712 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3273712

Marcus Tamm (Contact Author)

RWI ( email )

Invalidenstr. 112
10115 Berlin
Germany
+49 30 202159818 (Phone)
+49 30 202159819 (Fax)

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