Childcare Regulation and the Fertility Gap

33 Pages Posted: 20 May 2024

See all articles by Anna Claire Flowers

Anna Claire Flowers

George Mason University

Vincent Geloso

George Mason University - Department of Economics

Clara Piano

University of Mississippi - Department of Economics

Lyman Stone

McGill University

Date Written: May 20, 2024

Abstract

Children require care. The market for childcare has received much attention in recent years as many countries consider subsidizing or supplying childcare as a response to dropping birth rates. However, the relationship between childcare markets and the fertility gap-the difference between desired and achieved fertility-is yet to be explored. We build upon previous work by investigating the regulation of childcare and fertility gaps across the U.S. states. Our results consistently show fewer childcare regulations are associated with smaller fertility gaps. This suggests that women are better able to achieve their fertility goals in policy environments that allow for more flexibility in childcare options and lower costs.

Keywords: Childcare, Fertility, Fertility Gap, Regulation

JEL Classification: D10; J13; H70

Suggested Citation

Flowers, Anna Claire and Geloso, Vincent and Piano, Clara and Stone, Lyman, Childcare Regulation and the Fertility Gap (May 20, 2024). GMU Working Paper in Economics No. 24-17, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4834635 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4834635

Anna Claire Flowers

George Mason University ( email )

Fairfax, VA
United States

Vincent Geloso (Contact Author)

George Mason University - Department of Economics ( email )

4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
United States

Clara Piano

University of Mississippi - Department of Economics ( email )

371 Holman Hall
University, MS 38677
United States

Lyman Stone

McGill University ( email )

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
534
Abstract Views
3,163
Rank
104,859
PlumX Metrics