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Bothfeld, Silke, Yves Jeanrenaud, Stefanie Wöhl, Andrea Leitner, Dorothea Schmidt, Gesine Fuchs, Heide Pfarr, Petra Ahrens, Alexandra Scheele-Bär, Agnes Blome, Agnieszka Althaber, Andrea Jochmann-Döll, Claudia Gather, Regine Winter, Ann-Christin Bächmann, Clemens Ohlert, Volker Kotte, Sigrid Betzelt, Aysel Yollu-Tok, Hanna Völkle, Susanne Kohaut, Karin Jurczyk, Matthias Collischon, Elke Holst, Christina Klenner, Miriam Beblo, Hildegard Maria Nickel, Eva Markowsky, Christina Boll, Lily Dausch, Ingrid Biermann, Sandra Knorr, Brigitte Schels, Karin Gottschall, Iris Möller, Petra Schütt, Friederike Maier, Christian Hohendanner, Lena Schürmann, Silke Bothfeld, Anja-Kristin Abendroth, Florian Zimmermann, Susanne Wanger & Michaela Fuchs (2026): Geschlechtergerecht gestalten. Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der Arbeitsmarkt- und Sozialpolitik. Frankfurt: Campus Verlag, 471 S. DOI:10.12907/978-3-593-45932-5

Abstract

"Trotz zahlreicher Bemühungen und Erfolge in der Gleichstellungspolitik seit Ende der 1990er Jahre bestehen in der Praxis nach wie vor erhebliche geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede auf dem Arbeitsmarkt. Frauen haben nach wie vor geringere Erfolgsaussichten beim Zugang und beim Verbleib in Beschäftigung, ihre Bezahlung und ihre Aufstiegsmöglichkeiten sind schlechter. Die Beiträge dieses Bandes bieten einen umfassenden Überblick über die aktuelle geschlechtsbezogene Arbeits(marktpolitik-)forschung. Mit einem multiperspektivischen Blick auf den vergeschlechtlichten Arbeitsmarkt gelingt es dem Band, historische Aspekte, Gegenwartsanalysen sowie gesellschaftliche Transformationsprozesse und Lösungsansätze zu verbinden." (Verlagsangaben, IAB-Doku)

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Albrecht, James, Per-Anders Edin, Raquel Fernandez, Jiwon Lee, Peter Thoursie & Susan Vroman (2025): Parental Leave: Economic Incentives and Cultural Change. (CEPR discussion paper / Centre for Economic Policy Research 20541), London, 57 S.

Abstract

"The distribution of parental leave uptake and childcare activities continues to conform to traditional gender roles. In 2002, with the goal of increasing gender equality, Sweden added a second “daddy month,” i.e., an additional month of pay-related parental leave reserved exclusively for each parent. This policy increased men’s parental leave uptake and decreased women’s, thereby increasing men’s share. To understand how various factors contributed to these outcomes, we develop and estimate a quantitative model of the household in which preferences towards parental leave respond to peer behavior. We distinguish households by the education of the parents and ask the model to match key features of the parental leave distribution before and after the reform by gender and household type (the parents’ education). We find that changed incentives and, especially, changed social norms played an important role in generating these outcomes whereas changed wage parameters, including the future wage penalty associated with different lengths of parental leave uptake, were minor contributors. We then use our model to evaluate three counterfactual policies designed to increase men’s share of parental leave and conclude that giving each parent a non-transferable endowment of parental leave or only paying for the length of time equally taken by each parent would both dramatically increase men’s share whereas decreasing childcare costs has almost no effect." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Berth, Felix, Dominik Hank & Leonie Kleinschrot (2025): Das westdeutsche Kitasystem im Wandel: Einstellungen, Diskurse und Angebote zur Kleinkindbetreuung seit den 1970er-Jahren. In: Zeitschrift für Erziehungswissenschaft, Jg. 28, H. 5, S. 1275-1294. DOI:10.1007/s11618-025-01322-2

Abstract

"Der Beitrag analysiert den Ausbau der institutionellen Kindertagesbetreuung in Westdeutschland in den vergangenen fünf Jahrzehnten im Zusammenhang mit gesellschaftlichen Diskursen und dem Wandel individueller Einstellungen. Der Fokus liegt dabei auf der außerfamilialen Betreuung von Kindern unter drei Jahren, weil bei dieser Altersgruppe in diesem Zeitraum besonders starke Veränderungen der Betreuungsverhältnisse erkennbar sind. Methodisch wird eine historische Inhaltsanalyse der Kita-Berichterstattung einer renommierten Tageszeitung kombiniert mit einer Analyse des Einstellungswandels sowie einer Analyse der Sozialberichterstattung in den bundesdeutschen Kinder- und Jugendberichten. Deutlich wird, dass sich die wissenschaftlichen Positionierungen frühzeitig für einen Ausbau der Kita-Betreuung aussprachen, während der massenmediale Diskurs vor allem auf Themensetzungen der Politik reagierte. Beim Einstellungswandel zeigt sich eine kontinuierlich steigende Akzeptanz nicht-mütterlicher Kleinkindbetreuung in Westdeutschland. Die Integration der Daten weist auf einen wachsenden policy-culture-gap bis zur Jahrtausendwende hin." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Biasi, Paola, Maria De Paola & Francesca Gioia (2025): When Mothers Out-Earn Fathers: Effects on Fathers' Decisions to Take Paternity and Parental Leave. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 17601), Bonn, 36 S.

Abstract

"This study investigates the influence of the male breadwinner norm on fathers' decisions regarding childcare responsibilities. We study the complex interplay between economic factors and gender norms in shaping the division of household labor within families by analyzing the impact a breadwinning mother has on fathers' choices regarding paternity leave (fully subsidized) and parental leave (partially or not subsidized). We exploit administrative data, provided by the Italian National Security Institute (INPS), including demographic and working characteristics of both parents together with information on the use of paternity and parental leave by fathers in the 2013-2023 period. We find that, in line with the "doing gender" hypothesis, when the leave is fully subsidized, as for paternity leave, fathers are less likely to engage in childcare when their wives earn more than they do. In contrast, this dynamic does not apply in cases of parental leave, where the economic costs of aligning with the gender norm are substantial. The effects we find are robust when replacing the actual probability of there being an out-earning mother with the potential probability and are amplified by the salience of the gender identity norm." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Buzard, Kristy, Laura K. Gee & Olga B. Stoddard (2025): Who You Gonna Call? Gender Inequality in External Demands for Parental Involvement. (NBER working paper / National Bureau of Economic Research 33775), Cambridge, Mass, 94 S.

Abstract

"Gender imbalance in time spent on child rearing causes gender inequalities in labor market outcomes, human capital accumulation, and economic mobility. We conduct a large-scale field experiment with a near-universe of US schools to investigate a potential source of inequality: external demands for parental involvement. Schools receive an email from a fictitious two-parent household and are asked to call one of the parents back. Mothers are 1.4 times more likely than fathers to be contacted. We decompose this inequality and demonstrate that the gender gap in external demands is associated with various measures of gender norms. We also show that signaling a father's availability substantially changes the gender pattern of callbacks. Our findings underscore a process through which agents outside the household contribute to within-household gender inequalities." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Collischon, Matthias (2025): Elterngeld: Mindest- und Höchstbetrag haben seit der Einführung real 27 Prozent an Wert verloren. In: IAB-Forum – Grafik aktuell H. 20.03.2025. DOI:10.48720/IAB.FOO.GA.20250320.01

Abstract

"Die Geburtenrate in Deutschland ist niedrig, laut statistischem Bundesamt lag sie im Jahr 2023 bei 1,35 Geburten je Frau. Die Politik versucht einen Anreiz zum Kinderkriegen zu schaffen, unter anderem mit dem Elterngeld, das 2007 eingeführt wurde. Der Mindestbetrag liegt hier bei 300 Euro im Monat, der Höchstbetrag bei 1.800 Euro. Diese Beträge wurden, im Gegensatz zu anderen Sozialleistungen, seit der Einführung nicht angepasst und haben somit effektiv an Wert verloren." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Conroy, Tessa, Jie Wu & Steven Deller (2025): Childcare availability and Women’s earnings in the U.S. In: Review of Economics of the Household. DOI:10.1007/s11150-025-09787-0

Abstract

"Extensive research shows that women earn less than men, and mothers earn less than women without children. In fact, the “motherhood penalty” accounts for much of the remaining gender wage gap. Since having children can reduce women’s earnings, access to childcare may play a crucial role in mitigating this effect and boosting women’s income. In this study we consider descriptive evidence of the relationship between childcare availability, defined geographically at the county level, and local women’s earnings. To account for potential spatial spillovers from childcare markets extending beyond county boundaries, we employ a spatial econometric model. This method is well suited for studying childcare markets which function regionally and their local economic effects, as well as for considering variation in this relationship by rurality. We find that in places with greater access to childcare, annual median women earnings are higher as is the ratio of female to male earnings. We also find evidence of interactions between neighboring places, highlighting the reality of cross-community childcare demand and need for regionally-informed childcare policies." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Daiger von Gleichen, Rosa (2025): Employer-provided childcare across the 50 United States: the normative importance of public childcare and female leadership. In: Journal of Social Policy, Jg. 54, H. 2, S. 574-594. DOI:10.1017/S0047279423000491

Abstract

"Employer family policy tends to be conceived as employers’ response to economic pressures, with the relevance of normative factors given comparatively little weight. This study questions this status quo, examining the normative relevance of public childcare and female leadership to employer childcare. Logistic regression analyses are performed on data from the 2016 National Study of Employers (NSE), a representative study of private sector employers in the United States. The findings show that public childcare is relevant for those forms of employer childcare more plausibly explained as the result of employers’ normative as opposed to economic considerations. The findings further suggest that female leaders are highly relevant for employer childcare, but that this significance differs depending on whether the form of employer childcare is more likely of economic versus normative importance to employers. The study provides an empirical contribution in that it is the first to use representative data of the United States to examine the relevance of state-level public childcare and female leadership. Its theoretical contribution is to show that normative explanations for employer childcare provision are likely underestimated in U.S. employer family policy research." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Deuflhard, Carolin & Jeanne Ganault (2025): Who can work when, and why do we have to care? Education, care demands, and the gendered division of work schedules in France and Germany. In: Journal of Marriage and Family, Jg. 87, H. 4, S. 1618-1638. DOI:10.1111/jomf.13085

Abstract

"Objective: This article investigates how education and the presence and age of children shape gendered work schedule arrangements among couples in France and Germany. Background: Despite the prevalence of nonstandard work schedules, schools and daycare facilities typically operate during standard work hours. Nevertheless, little is known on the gendered division of work schedules. Both France and Germany have shifted toward labor market deregulation, favoring the concentration of nonstandard schedules in lower-class jobs. However, France provides full-day public education and care. In Germany, public childcare is less comprehensive, and daycare and school hours are considerably shorter. Method: The study uses sequence and cluster analysis on time-use data (N = 11,268 days) to identify typical work schedules. Multinomial logistic regressions assess how education and the presence and age of children are associated with men's and women's types of days. Results: In both countries, less-educated men were more likely to work shifts, whereas less-educated women were more likely to not be employed. However, standard work schedules prevailed among better-educated French men and women, whereas partial workdays and non-workdays predominated among German women. Conclusion: In both labor market contexts, less-educated partnered women rather than men seem to opt out of employment due to scheduling conflicts between work and care. However, more work-facilitating family policies allow for more gender-equal schedules among better-educated men and women in France." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Diermeier, Matthias, Jan Engler, Melinda Fremerey & Leon Wansleben (2025): Kita-Versorgungsungleichheiten - eine Analyse auf Stadtteilebene. (IW-Kurzberichte / Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft Köln 2025,41), Köln, 3 S.

Abstract

"Der Zugang zu frühkindlicher Bildung hängt auch in Deutschland stark von der sozio-ökonomischen Segregation der Städte ab. Innerhalb derselben Stadt gibt es in wohlsituierten Vierteln im Durchschnitt ein Drittel mehr Kitas pro Anzahl Kinder als in sozio-ökonomisch prekären Räumen. Dieser Unterschied geht darauf zurück, dass sich konfessionelle- und private-gemeinnütze Kitas deutlich häufiger in prosperierenden Quartieren ansiedeln als in sozial schwachen Stadtteilen – öffentliche Kitas können dies nicht kompensieren." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Ellingsæter, Anne Lise & Ragni Hege Kitterød (2025): Towards more gender equal parental time allocation: Norway, 1980–2010. In: Community, work & family, S. 1-23. DOI:10.1080/13668803.2025.2521059

Abstract

"Research indicates a converging trend in how mothers and fathers allocate their time across Western societies, leading to a narrowing of gender gaps. Our case study, spanning three decades in the social democratic welfare state of Norway, offers new insights into the long-term processes that might drive these gender convergence trends. Data for this study were drawn from time-use surveys conducted between 1980 and 2010. This exploration of changing time allocation differentiates between mothers and fathers at various stages of parenthood, across different time periods and examines time devoted to work (including paid work, unpaid work, and total workload) as well as non-work (such as leisure and personal needs/rest). The gradual but uneven removal of institutional and cultural constraints – facilitated by the strengthening of egalitarian earner-caregiver policies and norms – was accompanied by significant shifts in how successive Generations of parents allocated their time. Over the decades, mothers’ and fathers’ time allocation became more similar, particularly in the 2000s. Notably, the equalization of time use was especially prominent among parents of preschool-aged children. However, among these parents, the total workload increased, resulting in less leisure time for both mothers and fathers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Gambaro, Ludovica, Clara Schäper & C. Katharina Spieß (2025): Crowded-out? Changes in informal childcare during the expansion of formal services in Germany. In: Social Policy and Administration, Jg. 59, H. 3, S. 383-398. DOI:10.1111/spol.13067

Abstract

"Informal childcare care by grandparents, other relatives or friends is an important source of support in many Western countries, including Germany. Yet the role of this type of care is often overlooked in accounts of social policies supporting families with children, which tend to focus on formal childcare. This article examines whether the large formal childcare expansion occurring in Germany in the last two decades has been accompanied by similar or opposite trends in informal childcare usage. It argues that accounting for both formal and informal childcare can offer a more accurate assessment of defamilisation effects of family policies. Drawing on representative data from the German Socio-Economic Panel the analysis identifies long-run developments of childcare arrangements for children aged 1–10 between 1997 and 2020, offering for the first time a comprehensive picture of how families with children of different ages mix informal care and service provision. Results show that on average the expansion of formal childcare was not associated with an equal reduction in informal childcare, lending little support to the crowding-out hypothesis. Further analyses distinguishing between population groups with different propensity to use formal childcare reveal, unexpectedly, remarkable similarities in the use of informal care throughout the period examined. The only exception are families with a migrant background, who tend to use informal childcare less than their counterparts. The general trend is, however, one whereby informal and formal care are increasingly combined." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

Zitatform

Grönqvist, Erik, Yoko Okuyama, Lena Hensvik & Anna Thoresson (2025): Women's labor market opportunities and equality in the household. (Working papers / Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy 2025,11), Uppsala, 57 S.

Abstract

"We study how changes in couples’ relative wages affect the division of childcare.Using a nationwide wage reform that raised pay in the female-dominated teaching profession, we find that closing 25% of the earnings gap between female teachers and their male spouses led to a 12% reduction in the childcare time gap. This result holds when we extend the analysis to major pay raises for women at the population level. Data support the mechanism that women reduce their childcare time when the spouse can step in by working more from home. Policies that address female pay can foster household equality if men have access to flexible work arrangements." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Haan, Peter, Michaela Kreyenfeld, Sarah Schmauk & Tatjana Mika (2025): Rentenansprüche von Frauen bleiben mit steigender Kinderzahl deutlich hinter denen von Männern zurück. In: DIW-Wochenbericht, Jg. 92, H. 12, S. 183-189. DOI:10.18723/diw_wb:2025-12-1

Abstract

"Der Gender Pension Gap, der den Unterschied bei den Rentenansprüchen zwischen Männern und Frauen misst, liegt laut Daten der Deutschen Rentenversicherung im Alter von 60 Jahren bei 32 Prozent. Darüber hinaus zeigt sich auch ein deutlicher Unterschied bei den gesetzlichen Rentenansprüchen zwischen Müttern und kinderlosen Frauen (Motherhood Pension Gap). Diesem Gap wirken die im Jahr 1986 eingeführten und seither mehrfach modifizierten Kindererziehungszeiten entgegen. Die Anrechnung von Kindererziehungszeiten reduziert die Unterschiede der Rentenanwartschaften zwischen kinderlosen Frauen und Müttern zwar deutlich, allerdings nur für die Jahre nach der Geburt. Für die Geburtsjahrgänge 1952 bis 1959 liegt der Motherhood Pension Gap im Alter von 60 Jahren in Westdeutschland bei 26 Prozent: Kindererziehungszeiten können den Rentennachteil von Müttern nicht ausgleichen. Weitere sozial- und steuerpolitische Maßnahmen, die eine gleichberechtigte Aufteilung von Sorge- und Erwerbsarbeit fördern, sind notwendig. Neben dem Ausbau der Kinderbetreuung sind Reformen des Ehegattensplittings und der Minijobs sowie ein Umbau der Arbeitswelt erforderlich, der die Bedürfnisse von Sorgetragenden stärker berücksichtigt." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Hohendanner, Christian, Markus Janser & Florian Lehmer (2025): Strukturwandel am Arbeitsmarkt durch die ökologische Transformation - Folgen für Geschlechterverhältnisse auf dem Arbeitsmarkt. Expertise für den Vierten Gleichstellungsbericht der Bundesregierung. Berlin, 94 S.

Abstract

"Die vorliegende Expertise untersucht erstmals quantitativ die strukturellen Veränderungen des Arbeitsmarktes in Deutschland im Hinblick auf geschlechtsbezogene Aspekte, die im Zuge der ökologischen Transformation entstehen. Wir verwenden hierfür einen Tasks-basierten Ansatz zur Identifikation der betroffenen Akteur*innen auf dem Arbeitsmarkt. Dazu werden der Greenness-of-Jobs Index (GOJI) (Janser 2019, 2024), das IAB-Berufepanel (Version 2012-2022, inkl. GOJI) sowie deskriptive Statistiken auf Basis des IAB-Betriebspanels herangezogen. Das IAB-Berufepanel wie die Auswertungen des IAB-Betriebspanels sind auf der Homepage des IAB öffentlich zugänglich und können für weitere Analysen genutzt werden. Zusätzlich werden Maßnahmen diskutiert, die helfen könnten, mögliche Ungleichheiten in der ökologischen Transformation abzufedern und zu überwinden. Ziel der Expertise ist es, den Sachverständigen für den Vierten Gleichstellungsbericht eine fundierte empirische Grundlage zu den Veränderungen auf dem Arbeitsmarkt und deren potenziellen Folgen für Geschlechterverhältnisse durch die ökologische Transformation zu liefern. Die Expertise zeigt auf, inwiefern Frauen und Männer gleichermaßen oder unterschiedlich von den Entwicklungen des Arbeitsmarktes profitieren bzw. betroffen sind. Es wird dargestellt, in welchen Branchen und Berufen sich Tätigkeitsfelder verändert haben und neue Beschäftigungsverhältnisse entstanden bzw. weggefallen sind – jeweils mit besonderem Fokus auf die Unterschiede zwischen Frauen und Männern. Vor dem Hintergrund aller zusammengetragenen Erkenntnisse wird abschließend diskutiert, inwiefern die bisherigen Ergebnisse darauf hindeuten, dass sich geschlechtsbezogene Unterschiede bzw. Ungleichheiten auf dem Arbeitsmarkt in der ökologischen Transformation eher angleichen oder weiter auseinanderentwickeln." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Honda, Ayumi, Mayo Ono, Takahiro Nishida & Sumihisa Honda (2025): The balancing and conflict between work and family life of sandwiched caregivers: A scoping review. In: Safety and Health at Work, Jg. 16, H. 2, S. 156-163. DOI:10.1016/j.shaw.2025.04.004

Abstract

"The aim of this scoping review was to advance our understanding of the balancing and conflict between work and family life experienced by sandwiched caregivers. Five online databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library) were systematically searched between 20 Apr 2024 to 11 July 2024 for articles written in English and published between 1999 and July 2024, focused on the impact factors on work–family life balance and/or conflict of sandwiched caregivers. These database searches identified 58 citations, which results in 46 unique articles following the removal of duplicates. Title and abstract screening were identified for full-text review, twenty of these were excluded at full-text review, and leaving 13 articles for inclusion. We identified and categorized into three key themes: (1) Conflicts between work and family life and (2) Impact of conflicts between work and family life on psychological well-being and (3) Coping for conflicts between work and family life. The literature reviews suggested that the balancing and conflict between work and family life were associated with work hours, flexibilities in work and workplace, and partner support in the sandwiched caregivers. Especially, flexible work arrangements and maintaining social connection were the stress coping strategies for balancing of work and family life. In an aging society, building a truly supportive and flexible workplace culture, along with increasing and utilizing formal care services for child-rearing and aged care, is more effective in promoting the well-being of sandwiched caregivers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2025 Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Institute, Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency.) ((en))

Zitatform

Kałamucka, Agata, Anna Matysiak & Beata Osiewalska (2025): Working-time flexibility among European couples. In: Community, work & family, S. 1-23. DOI:10.1080/13668803.2025.2535735

Abstract

"This study examines patterns of working-time flexibility among European heterosexual couples, focusing on both employee – and employer-oriented flexibilities. Using 2019 EU LFS and multinomial logit models, we analyse how these flexibilities are distributed between partners, considering education and parenthood status. The findings highlight the critical role of working-time flexibility in shaping labor force participation and reveal stark differences across socioeconomic and family contexts. Among the tertiary-educated strata, there is a high prevalence of dual-earner couples in which both partners work with employee-oriented flexibility, which remains consistently high even when there are children at home. This pattern is, however, much more common in Western Europe than in Southern and Central Eastern Europe. In contrast, below tertiary-educated couples are less likely to have employee-oriented flexibility and more often form male breadwinner families, particularly as family size increases. Additionally, we demonstrate that below tertiary-educated fathers often have to rely on employer-oriented schedules, which highlight the challenges they may face in balancing work and family responsibilities due to unpredictable work hours. We found this pattern most common in Southern Europe. This study underscores the critical intersection of education, working-time flexibility, and parenthood in shaping labour force participation and perpetuating gender inequalities across socioeconomic strata." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Kurowska, Anna, Agnieszka Kasperska & Gayle Kaufman (2025): When Working From Home Fails to Support Work–Life Balance: The Role of Childcare- and Work-Related Demands. In: Journal of Family Issues, Jg. 46, H. 11, S. 1664-1692. DOI:10.1177/0192513x251356260

Abstract

"The new normal of working from home (WFH) brought by the COVID-19 pandemic enabled parents to manage increased childcare demands while working remotely. Using multi-country data from the Familydemic Harmonized Dataset (n = 9364), this study examines how WFH was related to perceived changes in work–life balance (WLB) among mothers and fathers, considering the moderating role of childcare- and work-related demands. Overall, WFH was positively associated with improved WLB, regardless of partnership status. However, this relationship weakened for mothers whose children were out of formal childcare for over a month and when they increased their working hours. Furthermore, we found that fathers who extended their working hours while WFH were more likely to report worsened WLB than those working in the office. These findings, though based on mid-2021 data, remain relevant post-pandemic as parents continue to navigate the challenges of WFH, childcare, and demanding work schedules." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Li, Anita (2025): Is It Daddy Time Yet? Trends and Variation in Men's Employment Hours Around Childbirth: 1989–2020. In: Demography, Jg. 62, H. 4, S. 1319-1339. DOI:10.1215/00703370-12157124

Abstract

"Scholars continue to debate the progress of the gender revolution. Some argue that the gender revolution is stalled, whereas others see an emerging second half marked by men's increased involvement in the home. Using longitudinally linked monthly data from the 1989–2020 Current Population Survey, I show that U.S. fathers from more recent cohorts worked fewer hours around the time of a childbirth than earlier cohorts—evidence consistent with the second half of the gender revolution. The magnitude of change is modest but is larger among college-educated men, men with a college-educated partner, and men in dual-earner households. Changes across cohorts are entirely accounted for by men's increasing reports of parental leave usage. Findings shed light on the changing relationship between parenthood and work for men and suggest continued steps toward gender equality." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

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Lott, Yvonne (2025): Alles beim Alten: Der Gender Care Gap in der Erwerbsbevölkerung. In: Theorie und Praxis der sozialen Arbeit, Jg. 76, H. 1, S. 39-53. DOI:10.3262/tup2501039

Abstract

"Beim Gender Care Gap, der Verteilung von unbezahlter Arbeit zwischen erwerbstätigen Frauen und Männern, bleibt die Lage unverändert: Erwerbstätige Frauen leisten nach wie vor den größten Teil an Kinderbetreuung, Pflege und Hausarbeit. Im Durchschnitt arbeiten sie eine Stunde pro Woche mehr als Männer. Eine Sonderauswertung der Zeitverwendungserhebung 2022 für Deutschland bestätigt dies, so Yvonne Lott. Die Corona-Pandemie wurde oft als Chance gesehen, die unbezahlte Arbeit gerechter zu verteilen, da beide Partner häufig zuhause waren. Tatsächlich engagierten sich während der Pandemie nicht nur Mütter, sondern auch Väter stärker in der Kinderbetreuung. Vor allem zu Beginn der Pandemie gab es positive Erfahrungen engagierter Väter. Dennoch zeigte sich schnell, dass diese Veränderungen nicht dauerhaft waren. Die Sonderauswertung für die Erwerbstätigen bezieht sich auf alle Personen, die tatsächlich erwerbstätig waren. Dies schließt Selbstständige, Angestellte und andere Erwerbstätige im Alter von 18 bis 64 Jahren ein. Unbezahlte Arbeit umfasst Aktivitäten wie Hausarbeit, Kinderbetreuung und Unterstützung von Haushaltsmitgliedern. Die Zeitverwendungserhebung wird jährlich durchgeführt und erfasst, wie viel Zeit die Menschen für verschiedene Aktivitäten aufwenden, indem sie Tagebuch führen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass erwerbstätige Frauen im Durchschnitt fast eine Stunde mehr pro Woche arbeiten (54 Stunden) als Männer (53 Stunden). Frauen investieren mehr Zeit in unbezahlte Arbeit (über 25 Stunden pro Woche) als Männer (etwa 8 Stunden weniger als Frauen) und in bezahlte Arbeit (ungefähr 28 Stunden), was hauptsächlich auf Unterschiede bei Teilzeitbeschäftigten zurückzuführen ist." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Lütolf, Meret (2025): The Balancing Act of Working Mothers and Caring Fathers. Impact of Family Policy on Egalitarianism in Families in Western Democracies. Wiesbaden: Springer VS, 220 S. DOI:10.1007/978-3-658-47716-5

Abstract

"This Open-Access-book explores how egalitarian parental leave policies can support a more balanced division of paid work and caregiving. Introducing a novel analysis grid and a unique dataset, Meret Lütolf examines parental leave policies in five countries – United States, Switzerland, Germany, Finland, and Sweden – revealing how fully paid, non-transferable leave can promote gender-neutral caregiving roles. Key findings highlight the connection between longer paternal leave and a more equal distribution of unpaid work, along with fathers’ willingness to reduce paid work hours in favor of caregiving. By combining multiple research methods, the study links policy intentions with real-life outcomes and identifies feasible reforms, including full wage replacement, that can enhance egalitarianism without raising policy costs. Offering valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and advocates, this book demonstrates how parental leave policies can contribute to more equal family dynamics and address broader gender inequalities in society." (Publisher information, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Lütolf, Meret (2025): Paternal Leave Duration and the Closure of the Gendered Family Work Gap. In: Social Politics, S. 1-32. DOI:10.1093/sp/jxaf017

Abstract

"In recent years, as societal norms evolve, active fatherhood has gained prominence as contributing to child well-being and gender equality. Parental leave policies are seen as key support, yet the extent to which paternity leave, and in particular the duration of its effective uptake, and the longer-term objective of gender equality in unpaid work correlate, remains unclear. This article explores the link between paternal leave uptake and subsequent care division among parents, considering country opportunities and individual attitudes. Using new survey data from five countries including a novel 24-hour slider measurement system, the linear regression models reveal a positive correlation between longer paternal leave uptake and a more balanced distribution of unpaid work, that is, a smaller family work gap. The study emphasizes the essential role of parental leave policies in fostering an egalitarian division of labor and enhances the understanding of the interplay between parental leave, caregiving, and gender." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Maclean, Joanna Catherine & Sabrina Wulff Pabilonia (2025): The Effects of State Paid Sick Leave Mandates on Parental Childcare Time. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 17786), Bonn, 75 S.

Abstract

"Unlike most developed countries, the U.S. lacks a federal paid sick leave policy. As a result, many workers must choose between losing earnings and attending to childcare responsibilities. To date, 17 states and the District of Columbia have adopted or announced paid sick leave mandates that provide up to seven days of paid leave per year that can be used for family responsibilities and healthcare. In this study, we estimate the effects of state paid sick leave mandates on parents' time spent providing childcare using time diaries from the 2004–2023 American Time Use Survey. Findings from difference-in-differences estimators suggest that post-mandate, parental time spent providing childcare increases by 5.8%. Effects are stronger among women with younger children. Overall, our findings suggest that paid sick leave mandates allow parents to better balance work and family responsibilities." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Manicardi, Caterina & Maria Enrica Virgillito (2025): Unpaid Working Time and Disproportionate Female Hazard: an Intersectionality Perspective. (LEM working paper series / Laboratory of Economics and Management 2025/01), Pisa, 36 S. DOI:10.57838/sssa/0v9f-0384

Abstract

"How has the distribution of unpaid working time between men and women evolved over the last twenty years? Does unpaid working time still disproportionately affect women, more than fifty years after the massive entry of the female labor force into formal employment? And, if so, which market and non-market factors drive this stratification and could possibly facilitate the transition out of an unequal intrahousehold division of labor? This paper leverages the most complete dataset collecting individual time diaries, the ATUS-CPS 2003-2022, to investigate the role of market variables such as real wages, household income, industry and occupation vis-a -vis non-market factors such as gender, race, household type and state of residence in explaining variations in unpaid time allocation. By exploiting both the cross-sectional and panel dimensions of the dataset, we provide novel evidence on individual time allocation and its gendered distribution, integrating an intersectional perspective that looks at the role of income classes and socio-material conditions in affecting the likelihood of escaping disproportionate exposure to unpaid work. Our results indicate that, despite clear class-based patterns, belonging to the upper income class is not enough for women to escape disproportionate burdens." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Mogstad, Magne, Kjell G. Salvanes & Gaute Torsvik (2025): Income Equality in The Nordic Countries: Myths, Facts, and Lessons. (BFI Working Papers / University of Chicago, Becker Friedman Institute for Research in Economics 2025,25), Chicago, 58 S. DOI:10.2139/ssrn.5133608

Abstract

"Policymakers, public commentators, and researchers often cite the Nordic countries as examples of a social and economic model that successfully combines low income inequality with prosperity and growth. This article aims to critically assess this claim by integrating theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence to illustrate how the Nordic model functions and why these countries experience low inequality. Our analysis suggests that income equality in the Nordics is primarily driven by a significant compression of hourly wages, reducing the returns to labor market skills and education. This appears to be achieved through a wage bargaining system characterized by strong coordination both within and across industries. This finding contrasts with other commonly cited explanations for Nordic income equality, such as redistribution through the tax-transfer system, public spending on goods that complement employment, and public policies aimed at equalizing skills and human capital distribution. We consider the potential lessons for other economies that seek to reduce income equality. We conclude by discussing several underexplored or unresolved questions and issues." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Morosow, Kathrin & Marika Jalovaara (2025): Single and partnered mothers’ labor market consequences of long family leave. In: Community, work & family, S. 1-22. DOI:10.1080/13668803.2025.2535739

Abstract

"This study examines the heterogenous labor market effects of family leave policies for single and partnered mothers. Longer family leave has been shown to weaken women’s labor market positions and some studies have found heterogenous effects across population groups. However, whether the effect differs by partnership status remains unexplored. Using Finnish register data from 1989 to 2014 (ca. 2.5 million person-years) and controlling for selection into single motherhood by comparing estimates from OLS and FE models, this study compares single and partnered mothers’ unemployment and earnings consequent to extended family leaves. In line with predictions that single mothers may face greater work-family reconciliation issues or cumulative disadvantage leading to greater labor market penalties, the results showed that longer leave increases the length of unemployment for single mothers more than for partnered ones. This is not solely because of selection into single motherhood. Earnings penalties after family leave (net of employment status) are the same for single and partnered mothers. We conclude that similar long- lengths of family leave are penalized more among single mothers in terms of employment, which increases and reproduces social inequalities. This means that existing inequalities are reinforced by labor market absences supported by leave policies." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Narazani, Edlira, Ana Agúndez García, Michael Christl & Francesco Figari (2025): Increased childcare to promote mothers’ employment in selected EU countries. In: Journal of Policy Modeling, Jg. 47, H. 3, S. 492-511. DOI:10.1016/j.jpolmod.2024.12.005

Abstract

"This paper provides evidence of the maternal labor supply effects of increased childcare availability in a set of EU Member States based on the behavioural microsimulation model EUROLAB, that uses a labor market equilibrium model to encompass the demand side. Our findings indicate that achieving higher childcare participation rates would result in an overall increase in the labor supply of mothers with children below 3, with variations across countries. Furthermore, the labor demand side moderates slightly the final employment effect, but employment is still expected to rise substantially vis a vis the baseline situation. In countries like Hungary and Poland, where formal childcare and female labor participation are low, the expected impact on employment is likely to be higher. Conversely, in countries like Portugal the changes in employment are more modest. These findings indicate that universal, one-size-fits-all targets may not be efficient in the EU, given significant variations across countries in terms of labor market participation and childcare systems. Thus, tailored childcare policies that account for country-specific contexts within the EU are recommended." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2025 The Society for Policy Modeling. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.) ((en))

Zitatform

Nivakoski, Sanna & Marianna Baggio (2025): Unpaid care in the EU. (Eurofound research report / European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions), Dublin, 80 S. DOI:10.2806/5774709

Abstract

"As countries face increasing pressure when it comes to providing care services, unpaid caregivers make an invaluable contribution. Care is needed at all ages of life, particularly when individuals face health issues or disabilities. The majority of care is provided within families, without financial compensation. This report investigates the situation of unpaid carers, focusing on their characteristics and the type of care and support they provide. It also looks at their time-use patterns, their well-being and the challenges they encounter. The report analyses how unpaid caregivers are defined across the EU and examines national-level policies aimed at supporting them. While the analysis covers all unpaid carers, including those providing childcare and long-term care, a specific focus is placed on two groups: young caregivers and those providing multiple types of unpaid care." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Pepin, Gabrielle (2025): The Effects of Child Care Subsidies on Paid Child Care Participation and Labor Market Outcomes: Evidence from the Child and Dependent Care Credit. In: ILR review, Jg. 78, H. 4, S. 645-666. DOI:10.1177/00197939251329844

Abstract

"The Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC), a tax credit based on income and child care expenses, reduces child care costs for working families. The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act expanded the CDCC in 2003, generating differential increases in generosity across states and family sizes. Using data from the March Current Population Survey, the author finds that a $100 increase in CDCC generosity increases paid child care participation by 0.6 percentage points among single mothers and 2.2 percentage points among married mothers with children younger than 13 years old. The author also finds that CDCC benefits increase labor supply among married mothers, who may experience long-run earnings gains. Results suggest large returns on investment to expanding the CDCC for secondary earners but that single and low-income mothers may benefit more from other programs." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Peters, Vinzenz, Susanne Schlepphorst & Rosemarie Kay (2025): Selbstständige Handwerkerinnen als (werdende) Mütter – Ergebnisse einer NRW-weiten Befragung. (IfM-Materialien / Institut für Mittelstandsforschung Bonn 311), Bonn, 46 S.

Abstract

"Diese Studie richtet sich auf die beruflichen Folgen der Schwanger- und Mutterschaft von selbstständigen Handwerkerinnen in Nordrhein-Westfalen. Die Befunde zeigen, dass die Mehrheit der Handwerkerinnen, die während der Selbstständigkeit Mutter geworden sind, keine Form von Lohnersatzleistungen aus der gesetzlichen oder privaten Krankenversicherung in Anspruch genommen hat – aus Unwissenheit ob dieser Möglichkeit. Obwohl ein großer Teil der Handwerkerinnen erst kurz vor der Geburt die Arbeit ruhen lässt und diese zeitnah nach der Geburt wieder aufnimmt, erleiden sie deutliche Einbußen beim Umsatz und damit in ihrem Einkommen. Dies ist den notwendigen organisatorischen Maßnahmen rund um die Geburt geschuldet, vornehmlich weil sie ihre Arbeitszeit reduzieren, teils Aufträge ablehnen oder das Unternehmen vorüberhegend ruhen lassen bzw. schließen (müssen). Darüber hinaus führen die Handwerkerinnen in vielen Fällen Tätigkeiten aus, die abhängig Beschäftigten im Rahmen des Mutterschutzgesetzes untersagt wären. Die Mehrheit der selbstständigen Handwerkerinnen hält die E" (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Petts, Richard J., Daniel L. Carlson & Chris Knoester (2025): Paternity leave-taking and US Fathers’ participation in housework. In: Journal of Social Policy, S. 1-24. DOI:10.1017/s0047279425100901

Abstract

"Paternity leave may promote greater gender equality in domestic labor. Though numerous studies show that paternity leave promotes greater fathers ’ involvement in childcare, less is known about whether paternity leave-taking may facilitate fathers’ involvement in other forms of domestic labor such as housework. Using repeated cross-sectional data on different-gender partnered US parents from the Study on Parents’ Divisions of Labor During COVID-19 (SPDLC), this study examines the extent to which paternity leave-taking and length of paternity leave are associated with US fathers’ shares of, and time spent on, housework. Findings suggest that paternity leave-taking is positively associated with fathers’ shares of, and time spent on, housework tasks. Longer paternity leaves are also associated with fathers performing greater shares of housework. Overall, this study indicates that the benefits of paternity leave likely extend to fathers’ greater participation in housework, providing additional support for the belief that increased use of paternity leave may help to promote gender equality in domestic labor." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Piolatto, Matteo, Marija Bashevska, Olga Leshchenko, Chantal Remery & Susanne Strauss (2025): The gendered division of housework in times of Covid-19: the role of essential worker status and work location. In: Journal of family studies, S. 1-20. DOI:10.1080/13229400.2025.2526468

Abstract

"The question whether the measures taken to curb the spread of Covid-19 exacerbated or reduced gender inequality with respect to the division of housework and childcare has initiated a large number of studies. This study adds to this field by investigating the role of an until now underexposed yet important element in the literature on the pandemic, which is the assignment of an essential worker status for one or two partners of a couple. Drawing on resource theory, we formulate different hypotheses on how an essential worker status impacts the gendered division of housework during the early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic in dual-earner opposite-sex couples. In addition, as essential work was often, but not always done on-site, we use the time availability perspective to formulate hypotheses on how the impact of being assigned the essential work status interacts with remote-work. We investigate these research questions in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands using household longitudinal panel data from UKHLS and COGIS-LISS, applying panel fixed effects models. The results suggest that having an essential occupation is a resource for women but not men to renegotiate the division of housework. This is particularly the case when one or both partners can work from home." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Reaves, John, Hope O. Akaeze, Holli A. Schlukebir, Steven R. Miller, Henry O. Akaeze & Jamie Heng-Chieh Wu (2025): More Care, More Workers? Gauging the Impact of Child Care Access on Labor Force Participation. In: Social Sciences, Jg. 14, H. 8. DOI:10.3390/socsci14080458

Abstract

"This study investigates the critical link between child care accessibility and local labor force participation, addressing a gap in current research that often lacks local spatial granularity. While over half of the U.S. population resides in child care deserts, disproportionately affecting rural, low-income, and minority communities, the economic implications for local labor markets remain underexplored. Leveraging Michigan child care license data and Census tract-level demographic and employment characteristics, this research employs a spatial econometric approach to estimate the impact of geographic distance to child care facilities on labor supply using descriptive data. Our findings consistently demonstrate that increased distance to child care is significantly associated with reduced labor force participation. While female labor force participation is lower in areas with constrained access to child care, we also found that households with two parents are also less likely to have full labor force participation when access to child care is constrained. The cost-effective framework used here can be replicated to identify specific communities most impacted by child care-related employment disruptions. The analytical findings can be instrumental in targeting and prioritizing child care policy interventions." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Rosenbaum, Philip (2025): Counting the days: parenthood and the gender gap in absenteeism. In: Applied Economics, S. 1-19. DOI:10.1080/00036846.2025.2564467

Abstract

"This study is the first to estimate the effect of parenthood on total job absences, including both short- and long-term spells. Unlike prior work on formal sick leave records, I incorporate day-to-day absences, which account for most absence events and reflect broader margins of health and time strain. I find that mothers’ absences increase by 1.25 days per month 2 years after birth, stabilizing at 0.85 days – a 4.6–5.7% loss in annual workdays. The penalty is driven mainly by mothers’ own sickness and concentrated in long spells. It is largely unaffected by working hour or within-couple bargaining power. These findings uncover an overlooked mechanism behind the child penalty and deepen our understanding of gender inequality in labour supply." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Schepan, Marie Lisanne, Malte Sandner, Gabriella Conti, Sören Kliem & Tilman Brand (2025): Maternal and Child Health Following 2 Home Visiting Interventions vs Control. Five-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Clinical Trial. In: JAMA pediatrics, Jg. 179, H. 4, S. 367-374., 2024-11-05. DOI:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.5929

Abstract

"Home-based interventions targeting socially disadvantaged families may help to improve maternal and child health. Only a few studies have investigated how different staffing models affect early home visiting program outcomes. To assess the effects of 2 staffing models of an early childhood intervention on mother and child outcomes. The baseline assessment of this randomized trial was conducted between November 2006 and December 2009 in 15 municipalities in Germany. The follow-up assessment at offspring age 7 years was carried out by interviewers masked to treatment conditions from April 2015 to December 2017. Data analysis was performed from March to August 2023. Pregnant women with no previous live birth, low-income, and at least 1 additional psychosocial risk factor were eligible. A total of 1157 women were referred to the study by gynecologists, psychosocial counseling services, or employment agencies; 755 were randomized to treatment conditions (2 intervention groups and 2 control groups); and 525 completed the follow-up. Based on the Nurse-Family Partnership program, women assigned to the intervention groups received visits by either a midwife (midwife-only model) or by a team consisting of a social worker and a midwife (tandem model) until child age 2 years. Women assigned to control groups had access to the standard health and social services. Average treatment effects (ATEs) on the following primary outcomes were assessed using adjusted regression models with inverse probability weighting: developmental disorders, child behavioral problems, adverse, neglectful and abusive parenting, maternal mental health, and life satisfaction. The mean (SD) age at follow-up was 29.6 (4.36) years for mothers and 7.55 (0.75) years for children; 272 (52.2%) of the children were female. Mothers in the tandem model reported fewer internalizing child behavioral problems compared to their control group (ATE, 2.98; 95% CI, −5.49 to −0.47; absolute reduction, 13.3 percentage points). Beneficial intervention effects were found in the midwife-only group on abusive parenting (ATE, −4.00; 95% CI, −6.82 to −1.18), parenting stress (ATE, −0.13; 95% CI, −0.20 to −0.06), and maternal mental health burden (ATE, −3.63; 95% CI, −6.03 to −1.22; absolute reduction, 6.6 percentage points in depressive symptoms), but not in the tandem group. Both staffing models produced positive intervention effects, with more effects seen in the midwife-only model. These insights can guide future early childhood intervention designs and may help improve health care for socially disadvantaged families." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © JAMA Network) ((en))

Zitatform

Seidlitz, Arnim, Ann-Christin Bächmann & Corinna Frodermann (2025): In familienfreundlichen Betrieben nehmen Väter häufiger Elternzeit in Anspruch. In: IAB-Forum H. 28.07.2025. DOI:10.48720/IAB.FOO.20250728.01

Abstract

Daten des IAB zeigen: Die Entscheidung von Vätern, in Elternzeit zu gehen, hängt stark vom Betrieb ab, in dem sie tätig sind. So ist der Anteil verheirateter Väter, die Elternzeit in Anspruch nehmen, in Betrieben mit familienfreundlichen Maßnahmen höher als in solchen ohne entsprechende Angebote. Dieser Zusammenhang bleibt auch dann bestehen, wenn weitere betriebliche und persönliche Merkmale berücksichtigt werden.

Zitatform

Wu, Mengyao, Silvia Loi, D. Susie Lee & Alberto del Rey Poveda (2025): Bridging the gap? The moderating role of non-parental childcare use in the gap in maternal employment between immigrants and non-immigrants. (MPIDR working paper / Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research 2025-008), Rostock, 24 S. DOI:10.4054/MPIDR-WP-2025-008

Abstract

"While the growing inequalities between non-immigrant and immigrant mothers’ labour market outcomes have been extensively studied, the extent to which these disparities vary across nonparental childcare arrangements remains relatively underexplored. This study examines different types of childcare support – informal care only, formal care only, and mixed care arrangements – as potential moderators of the gap in maternal employment by migration background, while taking into account the immigrant mothers’ length of stay in the receiving country. Using data from the 2018 Fertility Survey in Spain, our results paint a complex picture of the distinctive roles played by different types of childcare arrangements in shaping the employment gap between immigrant and non-immigrant mothers: while long-term immigrant mothers who rely on informal or mixed childcare arrangements have higher employment rates than their non-immigrant counterparts, recent immigrant mothers benefit more from formal childcare services, which are associated with greater participation in paid work. Given that maternal employment is essential for the economic integration of immigrant families, our findings have important implications for developing more inclusive family policies aimed at improving the social inclusion of immigrant women with diverse childcare needs." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Abstract

"In der zehnten Ausgabe von „Kindertagesbetreuung Kompakt“ werden Daten zum Ausbaustand und zum elterlichen Bedarf an Kindertagesbetreuung im Jahr 2024 sowie im Zeitverlauf zusammengestellt. Der Schwerpunkt liegt zum einen auf den unterschiedlichen Entwicklungen in Ost- und Westdeutschland und zum anderen auf der Bevölkerungsentwicklung, die das Feld der Kindertagesbetreuung deutlich beeinflusst. Die neuen Daten zeigen folgende zentrale Ergebnisse." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

(2025): Zur Einführung des Elterngeldes und zur Einkommenssituation der Begünstigten. (Sachstand / Deutscher Bundestag, Wissenschaftliche Dienste), Berlin, 18 S.

Abstract

"Im Jahr 2007 wurde das Elterngeld eingeführt, um das pauschale Erziehungsgeld durch eine einkommensabhängige Leistung zu ersetzen. Als Lohnersatzleistung soll das Elterngeld finanzielle Einbußen nach der Geburt eines Kindes kompensieren. Zugleich soll es Anreize für eine partnerschaftlichere Aufteilung von Erwerbs- und Sorgearbeit schaffen. Im Vergleich zum früheren Erziehungsgeld, das vorrangig als Sozialleistung konzipiert war, richtet sich das Elterngeld an alle Mütter und Väter, so auch an Erwerbstätige mit höheren Einkommen, und sichert diese ökonomisch in der Phase der Familiengründung ab. Das Elterngeld stellt mit 7,99 Milliarden Euro im Haushalt 2024 den größten Einzelposten der gesetzlichen Leistungen für Familien dar (insgesamt 12,45 Milliarden Euro). In der öffentlichen Debatte ist das Elterngeld vor kurzem grundsätzlich kritisiert worden. So stellte der Ifo-Präsident Clemens Fuest angesichts angespannter Haushaltslagen in einem Interview die fiskalische Tragfähigkeit und Wirksamkeit des Elterngeldes grundsätzlich infrage. Diese Aussage rief Widerspruch hervor: Befürworter betonen vor allem die gleichstellungspolitische Bedeutung der Leistung sowie die Förderung der Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf. Die Befürworter kritisieren allerdings die bisher ausgebliebene Erhöhung des Elterngeldes. Seit seiner Einführung hat es keine finanziellen Anpassungen – insbesondere keinen inflationären Ausgleich – erfahren. So zeigt eine Studie des Instituts der deutschen Wirtschaft aus dem Jahr 2024 einen realen Kaufkraftverlust des Elterngeldes von rund 38 Prozent seit 2007 auf. Der vorliegende Sachstand befasst sich auftragsgemäß mit den Hintergründen zur Einführung des Elterngeldes und gibt einen Überblick über den aktuellen Stand der Forschung zu den Auswirkungen des Elterngeldes mit Blick auf die Veränderungen der Einkommenssituation der Begünstigten. Darüber hinaus werden auch die neusten Analysen zum fehlenden Inflationsausgleich dargestellt." (Textauszug; IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

(2025): Gleichstellung in der sozial-ökologischen Transformation. Gutachten für den Vierten Gleichstellungsbericht der Bundesregierung. (Verhandlungen des Deutschen Bundestages. Drucksachen 20/15105 Vierter), Berlin, 259 S.

Abstract

"Der Vierte Gleichstellungsbericht widmet sich dem Klimawandel und Klimapolitiken in Deutschland unter dem Aspekt der Geschlechtergerechtigkeit. Die Sachverständigen waren beauftragt Ursachen und Auswirkungen des Klimawandels sowie Auswirkungen umwelt- und klimapolitischer Maßnahmen auf die Geschlechterverhältnisse darzustellen, Empfehlungen zur gleichstellungsorientierten Gestaltung der ökologischen Transformation zu erarbeiten, und Empfehlungen zu Strukturen, Instrumenten und institutionellen Mechanismen für eine an Art. 3 Abs. 2 und 3 Grundgesetz orientierte Gleichstellungs-, Umwelt- und Klimapolitik zu entwickeln. Die von Bundesgleichstellungsministerin Lisa Paus im März 2023 berufene Sachverständigenkommission übergab ihr Gutachten Anfang Januar 2025 an die Ministerin. Dieses wurde Anfang März 2025 veröffentlicht. Am 12. März 2025 beschloss das Bundeskabinett die Stellungnahme der Bundesregierung zum Vierten Gleichstellungsbericht, die zusammen mit dem Gutachten als Gleichstellungsbericht veröffentlicht wurde (Bundestags-Drucksache 20/15105). Der Bericht wurde anschließend dem Bundestag und dem Bundesrat vorgelegt." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Adams, Ayhan (2024): Coparenting and conflicts between work and family: Between-within analysis of German mothers and fathers. In: Journal of Family Research, Jg. 36, S. 262-282. DOI:10.20377/jfr-1013

Abstract

"Objective: The study examines the relationship between coparenting conflicts and work-to-family/family-to-work conflicts for employed mothers and fathers. Background: The presence of children exacerbates the compatibility of work and duties of the private life for working parents. Working along similar lines in terms of parenting seems to be necessary to cope with these challenges. Still, a few studies have focused on the relationship between coparenting and interrole conflicts. Method: The quantitative analysis draws on longitudinal data from waves 6 to 10 of the German Family Panel, comprising N=3,608 observations of 1,377 individuals. The study employs between-within regression models to examine the inter- and intraindividual associations of coparenting conflicts and work-to-family/family-to-work conflicts. Results: The results revealed a statistically significant association between the level of coparenting conflicts and both, work-to-family and family-to-work conflicts. Additionally, changes in coparenting conflicts are associated with changes in family-to-work conflicts. Interestingly, the interaction between the level of coparenting conflicts and gender shows that the associations with interrole conflicts are more pronounced for fathers than mothers. Conclusion: The study provides insights into the interrelatedness between the parental coparenting relationship and the compatibility of work and family. The results underscore the significant relationship between coparenting conflicts and interrole conflicts for mothers and fathers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Albrecht, James, Per-Anders Edin, Raquel Fernández, Jiwon Lee, Peter Thoursie & Susan Vroman (2024): Parental Leave: Economic Incentives and Cultural Change. (NBER working paper / National Bureau of Economic Research 32839), Cambridge, Mass, 49 S.

Abstract

"The distribution of parental leave uptake and childcare activities continues to conform to traditional gender roles. In 2002, with the goal of increasing gender equality, Sweden added a second “daddy month,” i.e., an additional month of pay-related parental leave reserved exclusively for each parent. This policy increased men's parental leave uptake and decreased women's, thereby increasing men's share. To understand how various factors contributed to these outcomes, we develop and estimate a quantitative model of the household in which preferences towards parental leave respond to peer behavior. We distinguish households by the education of the parents and ask the model to match key features of the parental leave distribution before and after the reform by gender and household type (the parents' education). We find that changed incentives and, especially, changed social norms played an important role in generating these outcomes whereas changed wage parameters, including the future wage penalty associated with different lengths of parental leave uptake, were minor contributors. We then use our model to evaluate three counterfactual policies designed to increase men's share of parental leave and conclude that giving each parent a non-transferable endowment of parental leave or only paying for the length of time equally taken by each parent would both dramatically increase men's share whereas decreasing childcare costs has almost no effect." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Artmann, Elisabeth (2024): Für Mütter im Grundsicherungsbezug ist Kinderbetreuung der mit Abstand wichtigste Grund für die Freistellung von der Arbeitssuche. In: IAB-Forum H. 02.09.2024, 2024-09-02. DOI:10.48720/IAB.FOO.20240902.01

Abstract

"Alleinerziehende mit minderjährigen Kindern sind häufiger auf Leistungen der Grundsicherung angewiesen als Paare mit Kindern. Alleinerziehende Mütter sind in solchen Fällen nach eigenen Angaben häufiger als Mütter und seltener als Väter in Paar-Bedarfsgemeinschaften zur Arbeitssuche verpflichtet. Diese Unterschiede resultieren im Wesentlichen aus der Altersverteilung der Kinder. Für Mütter ist Kinderbetreuung mit Abstand der wichtigste Grund, warum sie von der Arbeitssuche freigestellt sind. Bei Vätern hingegen sind gesundheitliche Einschränkungen oder das Absolvieren einer Ausbildung die wichtigsten Freistellungsgründe." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Barbieri, Teresa, Michele Bavaro & Valeria Cirillo (2024): Trapped in the care burden: occupational downward mobility of Italian couples after childbirth. (GLO discussion paper / Global Labor Organization 1475), Essen, 36 S.

Abstract

"How does childbirth impact the career paths of men and women within the same household? To what extent does the unpaid care work related to this event contribute to the downward mobility experienced by women in a highly flexible labour market like Italy? Drawing on feminist and labour market studies, this article examines how caregiving responsibilities, particularly childcare, influence downward employment transitions for men and women in couples, specifically from full-time to part-time, from higher-paid to lower-paid jobs, and from employment to unemployment. The study also employs latent class analysis to map out variations in within-household inequality experienced after childbirth among couples. To achieve this, we utilize a unique survey-administrative linked dataset. The findings highlight significant penalties faced by women, not only immediately after childbirth but persisting for up to three years afterwards. Moreover, the latent class analysis reveals a small proportion of pro-female households compared to egalitarian and pro-male classes." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Begall, Katia (2024): What (wo)men want? Evidence from a factorial survey on preferred work hours in couples after childbirth. In: European Sociological Review, Jg. 40, H. 2, S. 342-356. DOI:10.1093/esr/jcad054

Abstract

"The division of labour remains persistently gendered, in particular among couples with children. Previous research shows that women’s lower economic resources are an important factor driving these inequalities, but because gender and (relative) earnings are highly correlated in male–female couples, their relative importance is difficult to disentangle with observational data. Using a factorial survey conducted among approximately 700 employed men and women of childbearing age in Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, the contribution of relative earnings and gender in explaining work-care divisions in couples with children is disentangled. The results show that men and women do not differ in their preferences for their own work hours after childbirth, but both prefer the father to work more hours than the mother. Moreover, the combination of own and partners’ preferred hours shows that men and women in all three countries prefer a modified male-breadwinner model after childbirth in scenarios where the male partner earns more or partners have equal earnings. Preferences for egalitarian divisions of labour appear to be slightly stronger in men compared to women and respondents with more egalitarian views on care tasks show less gender-specialization." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Bergemann, Annette, Stephan Brunow & Isabel Stockton (2024): There and Back Again: Women's Marginal Commuting Costs. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 16890), Bonn, 67 S.

Abstract

"We estimate female and male workers' marginal willingness to pay to reduce commuting distance in Germany, using a partial-equilibrium model of job search with non-wage job attributes. Commuting costs have implications not just for congestion policy, spatial planning and transport infrastructure provision, but are also relevant to our understanding of gender differences in labour market biographies. For estimation, we use a stratified partial likelihood model on a large administrative dataset for West Germany to flexibly account for both unobserved individual heterogeneity and changes dependent on wages and children. We find that an average female childless worker is willing to give up daily €0.27 per kilometre (0.4% of the daily wage) to reduce commuting distance at the margin. The average men's marginal willingness to pay is similar to childless women's over a large range of wages. However, women's marginal willingness to pay more than doubles after the birth of a child contributing substantially to the motherhood wage gap. A married mixed-sex couple's sample indicates that husbands try to avoid commuting shorter distances than their wives." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Biegel, Naomi & Julie Maes (2024): The educational gradient in formal childcare use – the role of employment opportunities and (in)formal childcare availability. In: Community, work & family, Jg. 27, H. 4, S. 535-555. DOI:10.1080/13668803.2022.2149387

Abstract

"This paper investigates three potential mechanisms of educational differentials in formal childcare uptake in Belgium, a country characterised by high availability, but also pronounced gradients in childcare uptake. We investigate whether and to what extent educational differentials can be accounted for by (i) differences in employment opportunities of mothers with different educational backgrounds, (ii) variation in local childcare availability which may entail different access, or (iii) differential availability of grandparents as an alternative source of affordable and flexible care. We use data from the 2011 Belgian census, which provides us with information on the socio-demographic characteristics of the entire population legally residing in Belgium. The census was linked to tax register data which gives insight into the uptake of formal childcare as childcare expenses are tax-deductible, as well as municipality-level data on childcare availability. Using logistic regression analysis, we investigate the uptake of formal childcare among two-parent families with one child younger than 2.5 years old. Results indicate that educational gradients are mainly due to differences in employment opportunities rather than differential availability of formal childcare at the local level or informal childcare availability." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Bister, Lara, Peter Eibich & Roberta Rutigliano (2024): Who is affected by parental leave reforms? Women's selection into different parental leave lengths across recent policy reforms in Germany. In: Genus : Journal of Population Sciences, Jg. 80. DOI:10.1186/s41118-024-00221-4

Abstract

"Public parental leave schemes aim to facilitate women’s reconciliation of family and employment after their transition into motherhood. While parental leave policies underwent several reforms over the past decades, adapting to changing female labor market participation and family cultures, the available entitlements are not tailored to women’s individual circumstances and needs. Itremains unclear how these affect the women’s parental leave uptake, particularly the leave length. In this paper, we followed an exploratory and descriptive approach to study the selection of women into different parental leave lengths with changing public parental leave entitlements in Germany and according to their individual characteristics. We use data from the German Statutory Pension Fund on 29,001 women born between 1955 and 1984 who had their first child between 1991 and 2016 at the ages 20–39. We estimate linear regression and discrete-time proportional hazard models to examine associations between women’s characteristics and their length of leave. We identify the effects of two major parental leave reforms in Germany in 1992 and 2007 in a Regression Discontinuity Design. Our results show that the general extension of available parental leave entitlements in 1992 increased the likelihood of women’s parental leave uptake between 25 and 36 months. For women who became mothers at an older age, had a high income before transitioning into motherhood, or with higher education; however, the likelihood of parental leave uptake of 2 months increased. The reform of 2007 led to an increased likelihood of leave uptake longer than 2 months for these women. These findings suggest that women with a higher labor market attachment have responded more strongly to the changes in parental leave benefits in Germany." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Boneva, Teodora, Marta Golin, Katja Kaufmann & Christopher Rauh (2024): Beliefs About Maternal Labor Supply. (CRC TR 224 discussion paper series / EPoS Collaborative Research Center Transregio 224 517), Bonn, 86 S.

Abstract

"We provide representative evidence on the perceived returns to maternal labor supply. A mother's decision to work is perceived to have sizable impacts on child skills, family outcomes, and the mother's future labor market outcomes. Beliefs about the impact of additional household income can account for some, but not all, of the perceived positive effects. Perceived returns are predictive of labor supply intentions under different policy scenarios related to childcare availability and quality, two factors that are also perceived as important. An information experiment reveals that providing information about benefits of mothers working causally affects labor supply intentions." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Carlson, Daniel L., Skye McPherson & Richard J. Petts (2024): Remote Work, Gender Ideologies, and Fathers’ Participation in Childcare during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In: Social Sciences, Jg. 13, H. 3. DOI:10.3390/socsci13030166

Abstract

"During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work became the new reality for many fathers. Though time availability theory suggests that this newfound flexibility should lead to more domestic labor on the part of fathers, many were skeptical that fathers would step up to shoulder the load at home. Indeed, the findings are decidedly mixed on the association of fathers’ remote work with their performance of housework and childcare. Nonetheless, research has yet to consider how contextual factors, such as fathers ’ gender ideologies and mothers’ employment, may condition these associations. Using data from Wave 1 of the Study on U.S. Parents’ Divisions of Labor During COVID-19 (SPDLC), we examine how gender ideology moderates the association between fathers’ remote work and their performance and share of childcare during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in both sole-earner and dual-earner families. The results show, for sole-earning fathers and dual-earner fathers with egalitarian gender attitudes, that the frequency of remote work was positively associated with fathers performing more, and a greater share of, childcare during the pandemic. Yet, only dual-earner fathers with egalitarian gender attitudes performed an equal share of childcare in their families. These findings suggest that the pandemic provided structural opportunities for fathers, particularly egalitarian-minded fathers, to be the equally engaged parents they desired." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Carney, Monica Harber (2024): Trade-offs in intergenerational family care provision. In: Review of Economics of the Household, Jg. 22, H. 2, S. 563-593. DOI:10.1007/s11150-023-09668-4

Abstract

"With an aging U.S. population, there is an increasing need for elderly care. One aspect of family care that is poorly understood is the trade-off for the generation of grandparents between the provision of care and support for their elderly parents and provision of care for their grandchildren. I evaluate the impact of a parent's death on the likelihood of an individual providing child care to grandchildren using the Health and Retirement Study and find that such a death leads to an increase in the likelihood of child care, suggesting that many grandparents would provide child care services if they did not have prior elderly care and support obligations. There is a positive effect of this additional care of grandchildren on fertility for individuals' only daughters and daughters who do not live within 10 miles of grandparents. However, there is no increase in labor force participation for these groups." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

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Chłoń-Domińczak, Agnieszka, Irena E. Kotowska, Iga Magda, Magdalena Smyk-Szymańska, Paweł Strzelecki & Karolina Bolesta (2024): Labour market gender gaps and childcare policies in countries with different social investment strategies. In: Social Policy and Administration, Jg. 58, H. 4, S. 583-604. DOI:10.1111/spol.13031

Abstract

"We study the role of formal and informal childcare within the ECEC policies for gender employment and pay gaps, considering the life course stages distinctive for childcare tasks. The ECEC policies are framed within the types of social investment strategies identified in the EU countries to picture developments in social investments after 2005. The aggregated EU-SILC data from 2005 to 2019 for 27 European countries have been used in the panel regression models to uncover how the caring arrangements influence labor market gendered outcomes of women at different ages (15–24, 25–49, 50–65). We find that better provision and use of early education and childcare not only contribute to early investment in human capital but it also facilitates mothers' employment and thus contributes to lowering gender employment and pay gaps. However, better coverage of care for children older than 3 years old results in negative employment effects for grandmothers. These effects vary also across countries, depending on their overall institutional setting depicted by the types of social investment strategies distinguished. Consequently, the ECEC agenda should be extended by addressing the employment of women at the pre-retirement age. It is crucial not only for reducing gender gap in employment and pay but also in the light of challenges generated by demographic developments —the labor force shrinking and the population ageing processes." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Collischon, Matthias, Andreas Eberl & Tobias Wolbring (2024): Parental well-being when children move out: a panel study on short- and long-term effects. In: Advances in life course research, Jg. 62, 2024-11-03. DOI:10.1016/j.alcr.2024.100643

Abstract

"This article investigates the effect of adult children leaving the parental home on parental well-being. Adult children moving out is an important event in parents' lives. However, it is theoretically unclear whether parental well-being decreases or increases from children moving out. On the one hand, children moving out can relieve parents' burdens and reduce stress exposure affecting well-being positively. On the other hand, it leads to a change in parental roles, with adverse consequences for parental well-being. This study uses long-running panel data (1991-2016) from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) to investigate the relationship between child moves and parental well-being using fixed effects dummy impact functions. The findings suggest that differentiating between first and empty nest moves is important when investigating the effects of children moving out of the parental home on parental well-being, as only the first move shows a long-lasting negative effect on parental well-being. Furthermore, the effects are strongest for respondents who have work arrangements in line with traditional gender roles." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.) ((en))

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Conti, Gabriella, Sören Kliem & Malte Sandner (2024): Early Home Visiting Delivery Model and Maternal and Child Mental Health at Primary School Age. In: AEA papers and proceedings, Jg. 114, S. 401-406., 2024-01-24. DOI:10.1257/pandp.20241087

Abstract

"We study the impacts of a prenatal and infancy home visiting program targeting disadvantaged families on mental health outcomes, assessed through diagnostic interviews. The program significantly reduced the prevalence of mental health conditions for both mothers and children, measured at primary-school age, and broke the intergenerational association of these conditions. The impacts are predominantly associated with a particular delivery model, wherein a single home visitor interacts with the family, as opposed to a model involving two home visitors." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Cowan, Benjamin (2024): Time use, college attainment, and the working-from-home revolution. In: Journal of Population Economics, Jg. 37. DOI:10.1007/s00148-024-01036-5

Abstract

"I demonstrate that the profound change in working from home (WFH) in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is concentrated among individuals with college degrees. Relative to 2015–2019, the number of minutes worked from home on “post-pandemic” (August 2021–December 2022) weekdays increased by 78 min for college graduates; for non-graduates, the increase was 22 min. The share of work done at home (for those who worked at all) increased by 22% for graduates and 7% for non-graduates. I examine how time-use patterns change for college graduates relative to non-graduates over the same period. Average minutes worked changed little for either group. Daily time spent traveling (e.g., commuting) fell by 21 min for college graduates and 6 min for non-graduates. College graduates experience a relative shift from eating out to eating at home, an increase in free time, and an increase in time spent with children, with the latter effect concentrated among fathers. Thus, while the gender gap in childcare among college graduates may be diminished by the WFH revolution, gaps in children's outcomes by parents' college attainment may be exacerbated by it." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

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Cruces, Lidia (2024): A quantitative theory of the new life cycle of women's employment. In: Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control. DOI:10.1016/j.jedc.2024.104960

Abstract

""A new life cycle of women's labor force participation has emerged" (Goldin and Mitchell, 2017). Compared to previous cohorts, the employment profile of American college-educated married women born after the mid-1950s is flatter and higher with no hump but with a dip in the middle between ages 30-39. At the same time, these younger cohorts have delayed births, but their completed fertility rate has increased. I develop a quantitative theory to explain the changes in college-educated women's employment and fertility decisions across cohorts. First, I provide reduced-form evidence of a positive correlation between fertility and employment decisions. Second, I build a life-cycle model of labor supply and fertility decisions. My estimates indicate that the marginal returns to experience of college-educated married women increased by 33 percent. Although on-the-job accumulation of experience plays a crucial role in generating employment shifts and birth delays, the model does not generate an increase in the total fertility rate in the absence of infertility treatments. Thus, to understand why college-educated married women's life-cycle employment profiles and fertility decisions are changing, both factors must be considered." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2024 Elsevier) ((en))

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Fauser, Sophia, Emanuela Struffolino & Asaf Levanon (2024): Converging mothers’ employment trajectories between East and West Germany? A focus on the 2008-childcare-reform. (SocArXiv papers), 24 S. DOI:10.31235/osf.io/kcgpm

Abstract

"Looking at a period of childcare expansion, we investigate East-West differences in employment trajectories around first childbirth in Germany over time to identify potential convergence. During Germany’s division (1945-1990), universal public childcare and female full-time employment were the norm in East Germany, while the male breadwinner model was dominant in the West. Even several years after reunification, East-West differences in women’s labor force behavior persist, although they are declining. In 2008, a widespread reform targeted the expansion of childcare availability to facilitate mother’s employment. We use sequence analysis methods to investigate East-West differences in mother’s employment trajectories around childbirth, comparing pre- (1990-2007) and post-reform (2008-2021) years. Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (1990-2021), the analysis comprises 355 East and 976 West German first-time mothers. Before the reform, employment trajectories between East and West German mothers differed in terms of timing and duration of employment states. After the reform, these differences decreased. Further analysis shows a convergence in the prevalence of post-birth part-time employment, nonetheless longer maternity leave is still more prevalent for West German and full-time employment for East German mothers. Employment trajectories of East and West German mothers have converged over the years. While childcare expansion might be contributing to this development, we still observe important East-West differences, especially regarding post-birth full-time employment." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Fischer, Sandra, Stella Glaser & Sybille Stöbe-Blossey (2024): Zwischen (Rechts-)Anspruch und Realität: Soziale Selektivität in der Kindertagesförderung. (IAQ-Report 2024-06), Duisburg ; Essen, 22 S. DOI:10.17185/duepublico/82094

Abstract

"Mit altersgruppenbezogenen Rechtsansprüchen auf Kindertagesförderung wird im deutschen Sozialstaat ein universeller Ansatz verfolgt. Insbesondere Kindern aus sozioökonomisch benachteiligten Familien soll durch die Teilhabe an Kindertagesförderung eine Grundlage für bessere Bildungschancen geschaffen werden. Analysen zeigen jedoch, dass gerade diese Gruppen unterproportional vom Kita-Ausbau profitieren und trotz Betreuungswunsch der Eltern besonders häufig keinen Platz erhalten. Die Kosten stellen vor allem für Familien mit geringem Erwerbseinkommen eine Teilhabehürde dar. Auch fehlen benachteiligten Gruppen oftmals die nötigen Informationen, um ihre Interessen bei der Konkurrenz um knappe Plätze durchzusetzen, zumal es für Kita-Träger wenig Anreize gibt, die Bedarfe dieser Gruppen zu berücksichtigen. Für die Stärkung von Teilhabe kommt es vor allem darauf an, subtil wirkende Mechanismen im Kita-System zu verstehen und auf dieser Basis Lösungsansätze zu entwickeln." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

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Frodermann, Corinna, Lena Hipp & Mareike Bünning (2024): Money Matters! Evidence From a Survey Experiment on Attitudes Toward Maternal Employment Across Contexts in Germany. In: Gender & Society, Jg. 38, H. 3, S. 436-465., 2024-01-15. DOI:10.1177/08912432241252601

Abstract

"This paper examines the context dependency of attitudes toward maternal employment. We test three sets of factors that may affect these attitudes - economic benefits, normative obligations, and child-related consequences - by analyzing data from a unique survey experimental design implemented in a large-scale household panel survey in Germany (17,388 observations from 3,494 respondents). Our results show that the economic benefits associated with maternal employment are the most important predictor of attitudes supporting maternal employment. Moreover, we find that attitudes toward maternal employment vary by individual, household, and contextual characteristics (in particular, childcare quality). We interpret this variation as an indication that negative attitudes toward maternal employment do not necessarily reflect gender essentialism; rather, gender role attitudes are contingent upon the frames individuals have in mind." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Gottlieb, Charles, Cheryl Doss, Douglas Gollin & Markus Poschke (2024): The Gender Division of Work across Countries. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 16896), Bonn, 64 S.

Abstract

"Across countries, women and men allocate time differently between market work, domestic services, and care work. In this paper, we document the gender division of work, drawing on a new harmonized data set that provides us with high-quality time use data for 50 countries spanning the global income distribution. A striking feature of the data is the wide dispersion across countries at similar income levels. We use these data to motivate a macroeconomic model of household time use in which country-level allocations are shaped by wages and a set of "wedges" that resemble productivity, preferences, and disutilities. Taking the model to country-level observations, we find that a wedge related to the disutility of market work for women plays a crucial role in generating the observed dispersion of outcomes, particularly for middle-income countries. Variation in the division of non-market work is principally shaped by a wedge indicating greater disutility for men, which is especially large in some low- and middle-income countries." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Haas, Linda & C. Philip Hwang (2024): Fathers use of extended parental leave: exploring company barriers in Sweden. In: Community, work & family, S. 1-22. DOI:10.1080/13668803.2024.2411026

Abstract

"In Sweden, men's parental leave rights are considered important for realizing gender equality. Men have the same compensated leave rights as women: three months each of nontransferable and transferable leave. Nevertheless, less than 20% of couples share leave equally (each taking 40% or more of all leave days). Understanding the circumstances under which fathers take leave beyond nontransferable months is important if equality is to be realized, yet few studies investigate this. Our survey of human resource directors in Sweden's top companies revealed extended leave use was not normative for fathers’ and especially male top managers and aspects of the gendered culture and structure of work organizations were associated with less extended leave use. Company awareness of parental leaves benefits for the company was significantly and independently related to fathers’ and top male managers extended leave use. Positive workplace attitudes and less job specialization increased fathers’ extended leave use. Companies’ setting fewer conditions encouraged more top male managers to take extended leave, as did a policy of managerial training to facilitate fathers’ leaves. Greater understanding of company barriers to fathers’ extended parental leave use may encourage companiesto remove those barriers which can increase fathers’ use of extended parental leave." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Hamann, Silke & Gabriele Wydra-Somaggio (2024): Poor labour market prospects due to intensive caregiving? Childcare and eldercare among welfare recipients in Germany. In: International Journal of Social Welfare, Jg. 33, H. 1, S. 290-308., 2023-03-15. DOI:10.1111/ijsw.12601

Abstract

"Despite the favourable economic situation in Germany over the last decade, the number of welfare recipients (~5 million) remained at a persistently high level. One factor limiting individuals' abilities to exit welfare dependency into employment is informal care. This article analyses two aspects of informal care: childcare, considering the number of caregivers in a given family constellation, and the amount of time spent on eldercare. A panel of survey data with comprehensive information on welfare recipients is used. The waves from 2006 to 2017 are included. The results suggest that the chances of exiting welfare dependency for those in jobs covering needs are strongly impacted by the intensity of caregiving. Single parents, as well as welfare recipients who spend >10 h/wk on eldercare, especially persons providing both of these types of caregiving, have the lowest probabilities of leaving welfare dependency among all recipient groups." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Harris, Jorgen M. & Eleonora Patacchini (2024): Closing the Gender Gap: Promoting Labour Market Participation. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 17219), Bonn, 38 S.

Abstract

"In many countries, a significant share of the gender earnings gap stems not only from firm’s practices, or self-selection into lower productivity jobs, but also from a lower participation among women. Inactivity around the age of motherhood is frequent including in the most advanced countries, and can have lasting consequences on the chances to return to the labor market, as well as future earnings and promotions. In this paper, we discuss the major barriers reducing women’s labor force participation and examine the effects of several policies aimed at overcoming those barriers: parental leave, reserved paternal leave, statefunded childcare for young children, extended school hours, and individual taxation. For each, we provide a brief discussion of policy design and effectiveness." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

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Harris, Candice & Jarrod Haar (2024): Work and family interaction management: the case for zigzag working. In: The International Journal of Human Resource Management, Jg. 35, H. 18, S. 3001-3023. DOI:10.1080/09585192.2024.2390986

Abstract

"The present study seeks to advance understanding of the interaction of work and family roles. Typically, while the intersection of these domains is established as either being detrimental (i.e. work-family conflict) or beneficial (i.e. work-family enrichment), we argue there is a fundamental issue with timing. Specifically, we offer zigzag working as an approach to understanding how work and family interact. We suggest, rather than roles operating separately (e.g. work to family or family to work), the reality of work is where employees have work and family roles intersecting simultaneously. We believe this provides unique insights for those with dependent responsibilities, representing potentially both a unique challenge and benefit. Our study has two samples (n?=?318 employees and n?=?373 managers) and we find support for zigzag working at the day-level and while it is positively related to work-family conflict dimensions it is also positively related to happiness. Overall, our paper offers a new lens on work-family border negotiation, providing empirical evidence showing that zigzag working does occur and that it appears to have unique properties. Importantly, zigging and zagging around work and dependents during a typical day represents both positive and negative effects, highlighting a unique occurrence within the literature." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Hermes, Henning, Marina Krauß, Philipp Lergetporer, Frauke Peter & Simon Wiederhold (2024): Early child care, maternal labor supply, and gender equality: A randomized controlled trial. (IWH-Diskussionspapiere / Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung Halle 2024,14), Halle, 64 S.

Abstract

"We provide experimental evidence that enabling access to universal early child care increases maternal labor supply and promotes gender equality among families with lower socioeconomic status (SES). Our intervention offers information and customized help with child care applications, leading to a boost in child care enrollment among lower-SES families. 18 months after the intervention, we find substantial increases in maternal full-time employment (+160%), maternal earnings (+22%), and household income (+10%). Intriguingly, the positive employment effects are not only driven by extended hours at child care centers, but also by an increase in care hours by fathers. Gender equality also benefits more broadly from better access to child care: The treatment improves a gender equality index that combines information on intra-household division of working hours, care hours, and earnings by 40% of a standard deviation, with significant increases in each dimension. For higher-SES families, we consistently observe negligible, insignificant treatment effects." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Hiekel, Nicole & Mine Kühn (2024): Lessons from the pandemic: Gender inequality in childcare and the emergence of a gender mental health gap among parents in Germany. In: Demographic Research, Jg. 51, S. 49-80. DOI:10.4054/demres.2024.51.3

Abstract

"Background: The gender gap in mental health that emerged in Germany during the pandemic grew disproportionally among partnered parents. The question arises as to why mothers – compared to fathers – experienced greater declines in mental health when guiding their families through the pandemic. Objective: This study investigates how changes in childcare arrangements affected parental mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Methods: The German Family Panel is based on a random probability sample from which we selected n = 803 partnered mothers and fathers interviewed before (2018–2019) and after (2020) the onset of the pandemic. We ran change score regression models to examine (1) whether changes in gender inequality in childcare arrangements predict within-changes in mental health among mothers and fathers, and (2) whether gender role attitudes moderate this association. Results: Systematic mental health differences can be pinpointed at the intersection of gender inequality in childcare and gender role attitudes. Women in stable female childcare arrangements in which the mother did relatively more childcare and women who transitioned from non-female to female childcare arrangements experienced the largest mental health declines. This association was particularly salient among women with egalitarian attitudes. Men in these childcare arrangements either experienced no change or even improvement in certain mental health dimensions. By contrast, sharing childcare was mentally beneficial for both mothers and fathers in this global health crisis. Conclusions: Gender inequality in childcare is a risk factor for women’s health, particularly during times of shifting patterns in employment and childcare arrangements. Contribution: Taking lessons from the pandemic, policymakers should acknowledge the disproportionate burden that mothers carry when institutional childcare and schooling are unreliable. Accordingly, the unfolding childcare crises in Germany and beyond need to be tackled from a gender-sensitive perspective." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Max-Planck-Institut für demographische Forschung) ((en))

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Jansen, Andreas, Angelika Kümmerling & Lena Zink (2024): Spannungsfeld Vereinbarkeit. Arbeitszeit- und Jobpräferenzen von Menschen mit Sorgeverantwortung. Gütersloh, 72 S. DOI:10.11586/2024147

Abstract

"Die vorliegende Studie „Spannungsfeld Vereinbarkeit: Arbeitszeit- und Jobpräferenzen von Menschen mit Sorgeverantwortung“ ist der erste Teil einer dreiteiligen Veröffentlichungsreihe im Rahmen des Projekts „Spannungsfeld Vereinbarkeit: Onlinebefragung zur Aufteilung von Erwerbs- und Sorgearbeit im Paarkontext“, das das Institut Arbeit und Qualifikation der Universität Duisburg-Essen im Zeitraum von Juli 2023 bis Juni 2024 im Auftrag der Bertelsmann Stiftung durchgeführt hat. Ziel der Untersuchung war es, die bestehenden Erwerbsmuster und deren Gründe sowie die etwaigen Aushandlungsprozesse von Männern und Frauen, insbesondere von Frauen mit Sorgeverpflichtungen, besser zu verstehen, um dadurch Handlungsempfehlungen abzuleiten, die die Erwerbsbeteiligung von Frauen und ggf. eine Umverteilung von Sorge- und Erwerbsarbeit fördern. Zwar bezog die Befragung Personen in allen Lebensformen mit ein, aufgrund der vorhandenen Fallzahlen konzentrieren sich die Analysen jedoch auf Männer und Frauen in heterosexuellen Paarbeziehungen. Die Datenerhebung erfolgte als Onlinebefragung über ein Online-Access-Panel, mit deren Durchführung ein renommierter kommerzieller Datendienstleister beauftragt wurde. Die Befragung fand zwischen dem 19.12.2023 und dem 19.01.2024 statt. Insgesamt wurden 2.098 Personen als sogenannte Ankerpersonen befragt, für 425 Paarhaushalte liegen zudem Informationen aus Sicht beider Partner:innen vor. Befragt wurden Personen im Alter von 18 bis 65 Jahren, unabhängig von ihrem Geschlecht, Familienstand und Erwerbsstatus. Der Fragebogen enthielt eine Kombination aus Fragen zu Einstellungen, Überzeugungen und Verhalten, aber auch zur subjektiven Einschätzung z.B. der (paarinternen) Aufgabenverteilung, zur Zufriedenheit und zum Gerechtigkeitsempfinden. Abgerundet wurde der Fragebogen neben demographischen Angaben durch Fragen zur Erwerbstätigkeit und zur Arbeitsplatzsituation sowie Fragen zur subjektiven Einschätzung von Instrumenten, die Vereinbarkeit ermöglichen oder ermöglicht hätten. Ein innovatives Feature des Fragebogens stellen Vignetten zur Einschätzung der Attraktivität von Stellenanzeigen und zur Verteilung von Elternzeiten auf Paare dar" (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Jensen, Mathias Fjællegaard & Ning Zhang (2024): Effects of Parental Death on Labor Market Outcomes and Gender Inequalities. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 17127), Bonn, 63 S.

Abstract

"Nearly everyone experiences the death of a parent in adulthood, but little is known about the effects of parental death on adult children's labor market outcomes and the underlying mechanisms. In this paper, we use Danish administrative data to examine the effects of losing a parent on individual labor market outcomes and its contribution to gender earnings inequalities. Our empirical design leverages the timing of sudden, first parental deaths, allowing us to focus on the health and family support channels. Our findings reveal enduring negative effects on the earnings of both adult sons and daughters: sons' earnings drop by 2% in the fifth year after parental death, while daughters' earnings drop by 3% during the same period. Exploring the underlying mechanisms, we observe that both women and men experience increased mental health issues after parental loss, albeit manifesting differently: women tend to seek psychological assistance more frequently, while men receive more mental health-related and opioid prescriptions. Furthermore, we find that women with young children experience a comparatively larger drop (around 4%) in earnings after parental death due to the loss of informal childcare, a factor that significantly contributes to the gender pay gap. Lastly, we show that women experience a greater decline in earnings if their surviving parent requires higher levels of eldercare. These findings collectively underscore a substantial labor market penalty for individuals who experience parental death and emphasize the role of informal care in contributing to gender pay disparities." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Koll, David, Dominik Sachs, Fabian Stürmer-Heiber & Hélène Turon (2024): Quantifying Okun's Leaky Bucket: The Case of Progressive Childcare Subsidies. (CRC TR 224 discussion paper series / EPoS Collaborative Research Center Transregio 224 570), Bonn, 74 S.

Abstract

"We formalize and estimate the dynamic marginal efficiency cost of redistribution (MECR) in the spirit of Okun’s “leaky bucket” to compare the MECR of an incomecontingent childcare subsidy program and of the income-contingent tax and transfer schedule. We set up a dynamic structural model of heterogeneous households choosing their childcare demand and maternal labor supply. Allowing for the availability of informal childcare and for consumption of leisure, we estimate this model within the German context. Our analysis identifies two competing forces. (i) Labor supply responses increase the MECR of the childcare subsidy relative to the tax and transfer system. (ii) Child development effects decrease the MECR of the childcare subsidy relative to the income tax. We show that, under most plausible assumptions on the long-term returns to childcare attendance for children growing up in households of different incomes, progressive childcare subsidies are the more efficient redistribution tool." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Koopmans, Pim, Max van Lent & Jim Been (2024): Child Penalties and the Gender Gap in Home Production and the Labor Market. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 16871), Bonn, 30 S.

Abstract

"The consequence of the arrival of children for the gender wage gap - known as the child penalty - is substantial and has been documented for many countries. Little is still known about the impact of having children beyond paid work in the labor market, such as home production. In this paper we estimate - deploying an event study with Dutch survey data - the child penalty in both home production and the labor market. In line with the literature we find no labor market effects for men. For women we find a strong reduction in work hours and lower wages. However, we find an increase in home production for women roughly similar to the decline in paid work. Consequently, time allocated to the labor market plus home production is roughly equal across gender before and after the arrival of children. This result rejects the hypothesis that women substitute paid work for leisure after the arrival of children." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Kruyen, Peter M., Stéfanie André & Beatrice Van der Heijden (Hrsg.) (2024): Maintaining a Sustainable Work-Life Balance. An Interdisciplinary Path to a Better Future. (New Horizons in Management series), Boca Raton: Elgar, 260 S. DOI:10.4337/9781803922348

Abstract

"This thought-provoking book provides a detailed exploration of work–life balance, considering the perspectives of specific groups such as parents, academics, the self-employed, and migrants. Moreover, it sheds more light on the dynamics of self-care, childcare as well as informal care. Collaborative and interdisciplinary in its approach, featuring researchers ranging from quantitative to interpretative scholars, it highlights the importance of a sustainable work–life balance and the instruments needed to improve this. Focusing on both working arrangements and life events, this book assembles a diverse range of researchers to provide a holistic understanding of work–life balance, with chapters covering the organizational aspects of work-life balance and the effects of digitalization. The authors analyse the experiences of working parents and how work–life balance changes after retirement, and provide diagnostic instructions for employees and employers to re-organize the way they work across the life-span in order to maintain and enhance work–life balance." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Elgar) ((en))

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Lee, Sung-Tae & Sun-Moon Jung (2024): The interactive effect of maternity leaves and child care enrollment on maternal employment. In: Economic analysis and policy, Jg. 84, S. 344-353. DOI:10.1016/j.eap.2024.08.034

Abstract

"This cross-country empirical research investigates the impact of maternity leaves and the child care enrollment rates on increasing maternal employment. By analyzing data from OECD countries with country-fixed effects, we find that the child care enrollment for 0–2 year olds increases the maternity employment rate. We confirm an inverted U-shaped relationship between the maternity leave duration and the maternity employment rate, as evidenced in prior studies. More interestingly, we find that an interaction term between child care enrollment and maternity leave duration is significantly positive, suggesting that two variables play a complement role in enhancing maternal employment rate. By examining the independent and complementary effects of extended maternity leave and child care enrollment rates, our study suggests that their combined use significantly enhances maternal employment rates, highlighting a complementary relationship that policymakers should consider to support working mothers effectively." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, ©2024 Economic Society of Australia (Queensland)) ((en))

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Löffler, Verena (2024): The Cost of Fair Pay: How Child Care Work Wages Affect Formal Child Care Hours, Informal Child Care Hours, and Employment Hours. (SOEPpapers on multidisciplinary panel data research at DIW Berlin 1205), Berlin, 81 S.

Abstract

"The debate on the effects of child care policies on household and individual behavior is substantial but lacks a discussion of the unintended consequences of rising wages in the child care work sector. To address this gap in the debate, the relation between rising pay and formal child care hours, informal child care hours, and employment hours is analyzed empirically with a case study on child care in Germany between 2012 and 2019. Among other findings, the evidence demonstrates that the consumption of formal child care hours of middle- and high-income households in eastern Germany correlates negatively with child care work wages, indicating price elasticity." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Malisa, Amedeus (2024): Grand-parenthood and retirement. In: Labour Economics, Jg. 90. DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2024.102547

Abstract

"This paper uses Swedish administrative data to examine the impact of grandparenthood on retirement behaviour. For causal identification, I exploit conditionally random variation in the births of first grandchildren using an event study design. The results show a significant increase in the retirement probability for grandmothers and grandfathers when the first grandchild is born, with no significant differences between them. The effects of the arrival of the grandchild on retirement increase over time after the grandchild is born. The incremental effects are larger among grandparents in the upper half of the earnings distribution than among their counterparts. The findings suggest that grandparenthood makes grandfathers and grandmothers less elastic to financial incentives and other regulations that also promote longer working lives in a country with generous family policies, such as Sweden." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2024 Elsevier) ((en))

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Martínez-Pastor, Juan-Ignacio, Teresa Jurado-Guerrero, Irina Fernández-Lozano & Cristina Castellanos-Serrano (2024): Caring fathers in Europe: Toward universal caregiver families? In: Gender, work & organization, Jg. 31, H. 5, S. 1616-1638. DOI:10.1111/gwao.12948

Abstract

"Increasingly, men are challenging the assumption that care is a feminine task and are involving themselves in childcare and the care of dependent adults. However, this does not necessarily have consequences for their work, as they very rarely make costly adaptations in their working lives. In this study, we propose a definition of a man in care (MIC) as a working father who, in order to meet care needs, has adapted his working life in a way that potentially entails a financial penalty. We analyze the prevalence of men in care among men living with children below the age of 15 across the EU-27 plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK using recent representative data (the European Labour Survey and its 2018 ad hoc module on work-life balance). We find that although the number of men engaging in costly work adaptations is still very low when compared to their female counterparts, the characteristics of these men can be clearly outlined: they have a non-manual occupation (managers excluded), they have temporary contracts or are self-employed, they are partnered to women who hold jobs of 40 or more hours a week and have a high educational attainment, and they work in family-friendly companies. Also, at the context level, the prevalence of MIC is clearly related to gender equality and values. However, we do not find evidence of any country having reached the universal caregiver model proposed by Nancy Fraser, including those with more advanced gender and welfare regimes." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Mikats, Jana (2024): Über die (Nicht‑) Akzeptanz in Anwesenheit des Kindes zu arbeiten. Wie Eltern das Kind und ihre elterlichen Verantwortlichkeiten konstruieren. In: Österreichische Zeitschrift für Soziologie, Jg. 49, H. 3, S. 439-459. DOI:10.1007/s11614-024-00574-2

Abstract

"The work-family literature suggests a contradictory relationship between working parenthood and (good) childhood, with disruptive or neglected children on the one side and absent or overburdened parents on the other. While the child occupies a complicated space in this relation, their position is rarely examined. Against this background, I explore the position of the child by turning to children’s copresence during parents’ performance of home-based paid work and ask how parents construct the child and their corresponding parental responsibilities. Following a practice-theoretical framework, I approach parents’ accounts as practices of representation in which the boundaries of what was perceived as (not) acceptable ways of doing family and work were sketched out. For this purpose, I analyzed 25 qualitative interviews with and about home-based working parents in the Austrian creative industries with positional maps. The parents had between one and three children in kindergarten or primary school. Parents’ constructions of the child were complex and ambiguous, as were the corresponding parental responsibilities. Meeting the child’s needs and not harming the child emerged as a common ground, yet the parents’ commitment to paid work was not questioned. Conversely, home-based work was seen as a way to meet both work and care demands. These findings suggest that home-based work may bridge ideas of good childhood and working parenthood. The paper contributes to an understanding of work and family that goes beyond simple dualism and offers new insights into parental home-based work, which remains relevant in the post-pandemic era." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

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Philipp, Marie-Fleur, Silke Büchau, Pia S. Schober, Viktoria Werner & C. Katharina Spieß (2024): How Daycare Quality Shapes Norms around Daycare Use and Parental Employment: Experimental Evidence from Germany. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 16729), Bonn, 47 S.

Abstract

"Not only the quantity of formal daycare provision for young children, but also its quality has become an issue of political concern. This experimental study investigates how a hypothetical improvement in the quality of daycare facilities shapes normative judgements regarding daycare use and working hours norms for parents with young children in Germany. The analysis is framed using capability-based explanations combined with theoretical concepts of ideals of care and normative policy feedback theories. We draw on a factorial survey experiment implemented in 2019/2020 in the German Family Panel (pairfam) measuring underlying work-care norms for a couple with a 15-month-old child under different contextual conditions. Ordered logistic and linear multilevel regressions were conducted with 5,324 respondents. On average, high hypothetical daycare quality for young children leads respondents to recommend greater daycare use and longer working hours for mothers and fathers by about 1 hour per week. Respondents who hold more egalitarian gender beliefs, those with tertiary education, native Germans and parents tend to respond more strongly to higher daycare quality by increasing their support for full-daycare use. The results consistently point to the relevance of high quality for increasing the acceptance and subsequently take-up of formal daycare." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Puccioni, Chiara & Daniela Vuri (2024): With a Little Help from Nurseries. Childcare Services and Mothers' Employment in Italy. (CEIS Tor Vergata research papers 588), Rom, 41 S.

Abstract

"This study evaluates the impact of an Italian government initiative launched in 2007, which allocated e1 billion to regional governments to enhance early childhood care services for children aged 0-2, targeting both public and private childcare options. Exploiting variations in the timing of implementation across regions, we assess the program's effectiveness in increasing the public provision of early childcare services and maternal labor market participation. Results show a significant increase in both public childcare slots and labor market participation among mothers. However, the initiative had limited effects on less-educated women, likely due to the service's relatively high costs, which may hinder broader accessibility." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Ruf, Kevin, Alexandra Mellies, Anja-Kristin Abendroth, Dana Müller & Olga Moths (2024): Methodenbericht der Beschäftigtenbefragung. „Die Wahl zwischen Zeit oder Geld: neue Flexibilität für eine bessere Vereinbarkeit von Beruf und Privatem?“. Bielefeld, 51 S. DOI:10.4119/unibi/2990331

Abstract

"Das von der Hans-Böckler-Stiftung geförderte Projekt „Die Wahl zwischen Zeit oder Geld: neue Flexibilität für eine bessere Vereinbarkeit von Beruf und Privatem?“ untersucht die u.a. von den Gewerkschaften IGM, IGBCE, EVG und ver.di verhandelten tariflichen Wahloptionen, bei denen sich Beschäftigte jährlich zwischen mehr Zeit oder Geld entscheiden können. Diese sind auch unter den Stichworten Wahlmodell, individuelles Zukunftskonto, Entlastungszeit, Umwandlungsoption oder T-Zug bekannt und werden im Folgenden von uns unter dem Begriff Wahloption zusammengefasst. Während die Option ‚Zeit‘ je nach Tarifvertrag zusätzliche Urlaubstage oder eine verkürzte Wochenarbeitszeit beinhaltet, aber nicht Lebenszeitkonten und Sabbaticals, umschreibt die Option ‚Geld‘ eine Sonderzahlung oder monatliche Entgelterhöhung. Die Wahloption unterscheidet sich in ihrer Ausgestaltung jedoch zwischen den jeweiligen Tarifverträgen." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

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Sandner, Malte, Stephan L. Thomsen & Libertad González (2024): Preventing Child Maltreatment: Beneficial Side Effects of Public Childcare. In: The Economic Journal, Jg. 135, H. 665, S. 321-353., 2024-07-16. DOI:10.1093/ej/ueae070

Abstract

"We investigate the impact of public childcare provision on the incidence of severe child maltreatment. For identification, we exploit a reform that expanded early childcare in Germany, generating large temporal and spatial variation in childcare coverage at the county level. Using high-quality administrative data covering all reported cases of child maltreatment in Germany by county and year, we find that an increase in childcare slots by one percentage point in a county reduced child maltreatment cases leading to out-of-home placement by about 1%. Our results suggest that the provision of universal public childcare may be more cost effective than previously thought." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Schieckoff, Bentley (2024): The labour market entry of immigrant women in Germany: disentangling the determinants of labour force participation. In: Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, Jg. 50, H. 20, S. 5167-5192. DOI:10.1080/1369183X.2023.2222915

Abstract

"The labour market entry of immigrants is key to their integration, but also one of the stages where disadvantage arises. In seeking to understand this disadvantage, much of the existing research does not acknowledge the gender-specific dynamics at play and for immigrant women, this often means that their labour force participation (LFP) is overlooked. Thus, this study seeks to investigate the LFP decision in its own right, exposing the gender-specific nature of this stage of labour market integration and its determinants, including labour market resources, like education and language skills, and motivations, like childcare pressures, gender role attitudes and personality traits. Relying on data from the Recent Immigration Processes and Early Integration Trajectories in Germany (ENTRA) survey of recently-arrived immigrants, I investigate the LFP of women from four different origin groups – Poland, Italy, Syria and Turkey. The results highlight that, unlike immigrant men, for immigrant women, the LFP decision is much more salient, and both labour market resources as well as motivations are decisive determinants. Nonetheless, even after accounting for these factors, Turkish and Syrian women still show persistently lower LFP compared to immigrant women from European origins. Moreover, childcare responsibilities are identified as a crucial female-specific barrier." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Tobler, Lina, Bernhard Christoph, Lukas Fervers & Marita Jacob (2024): When the Burden Lifts: The Effect of School and Day Care Reopenings on Parents' Life Satisfaction. In: Journal of happiness studies, Jg. 26, 2024-09-15. DOI:10.1007/s10902-024-00819-7

Abstract

"The availability of childcare services eases parents’ daily lives and research has shown that it positively affects well-being, especially for mothers. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted established childcare arrangements, with school and day care closures adding to parental burdens. Despite extensive discourse on the influence of these closures on parental well-being, few studies have empirically analysed the effects of the increase in childcare responsibilities associated with the closures on the well-being of parents. We seek to address this gap by examining the impact of school and day care reopenings on parental well-being. We expect that parents’ life satisfaction will increase when schools and day care facilities are reopened —and that this effect is particularly strong for mothers. Leveraging the variation in the time of reopenings across Germany’s federal states, we employ a difference-in-differences and a difference-in-difference-in-differences approach to assess changes in well-being. The research design accounts for state-level differences and potential confounding factors related to the pandemic. By using data from the German IAB-HOPP study, which offers timely measures of life satisfaction, we aim to quantify the effects of reopenings on parental well-being. Results show only a small and marginally positive effect of reopenings on average life satisfaction among parents. However, this is due to a strong and significant effect of reopenings on mothers’ life satisfaction and no significanteffect for fathers. Our findings contribute to research on the division of unpaid labour and childcare and support the notion that public childcare provision is crucial, particularly for mothers’ life satisfaction." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Weßler-Poßberg, Dagmar, Jakob Ambros, Cara Schönmüller & Eva Willer (2024): Ökonomische und volkswirtschaftliche Effekte von Kindertagesbetreuung. Strukturierung und Auswertung des Forschungsstandes. Düsseldorf, 51 S.

Abstract

"Auf Basis des aktuellen Forschungsstandes untersucht die Expertise „Ökonomische und volkswirtschaftliche Effekte von Kindertagesbetreuung“, welche Auswirkungen die Kindertagesbetreuung auf Familien und die Volkswirtschaft hat. Die betrachteten Studien weisen eindeutige positive Effekte der Kindertagesbetreuung sowohl für das langfristige Lebenseinkommen der Kinder als auch für das Arbeitsmarktangebot der Mütter und die volkswirtschaftliche Ebene nach. Die Expertise wurde 2024 im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend durch die Prognos AG erstellt." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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(2024): Die wirtschaftspolitische Bedeutung des Ausbaus der Kinderbetreuung in Deutschland: Auswirkungen auf Erwerbsbeteiligung von Eltern, Chancengerechtigkeit und Wirtschaftswachstum. In: Schlaglichter der Wirtschaftspolitik H. 11, S. 20-24.

Abstract

"Ein flächendeckendes Betreuungsangebot für Kinder gilt als eine wesentliche Voraussetzung für eine hohe Erwerbsbeteiligung von Eltern und insbesondere Müttern. Neben einer verbesserten Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf und damit einem Beitrag zur Gleichstellung von Frauen und Männern kann eine qualitativ hochwertige Kinderbetreuung auch maßgeblich zur Chancengleichheit von Kindern beitragen. Einer guten Betreuungssituation kommt damit nicht zuletzt auch eine entscheidende Rolle als Garant für wirtschaftliches Wachstum und für die Sicherung des Wohlstandes in Deutschland zu. In diesem Artikel wird unter Verweis auf aktuelle Statistiken und die wissenschaftliche Literatur ausführlich beschrieben, wie sich die Kinderbetreuungssituation in Deutschland darstellt, in welchen Bereichen weiterer Verbesserungsbedarf besteht und wie sich dies in der Erwerbsbeteiligung von Eltern und der Entwicklung von Chancengerechtigkeit widerspiegelt." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Artmann, Elisabeth, Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln & Giulia Giupponi (2023): Forward-Looking Labor Supply Responses to Changes in Pension Wealth. Evidence from Germany. (CESifo working paper 10427), München, 48 S.

Abstract

"We provide new evidence of forward-looking labor supply responses to changes in pension wealth. We exploit a 2014 German reform that increased pension wealth for mothers by an average of 4.4% per child born before January 1, 1992. Using administrative data on the universe of working histories, we implement a difference-in-differences design comparing women who had their first child before versus after January 1, 1992. We document significant reductions in labor earnings, driven by intensive margin responses. Our estimates imply that, on average, an extra euro of pension wealth in a given period reduces unconditional labor earnings by 54 cents." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Brenning, Katrijn, Elien Mabbe & Bart Soenens (2023): Work-family conflict and toddler parenting: a dynamic approach to the role of parents' daily work–family experiences in their day-to-day parenting practices through feelings of parental emotional exhaustion. In: Community, work & family, Jg. 26, H. 4, S. 507-524. DOI:10.1080/13668803.2022.2037517

Abstract

"The objective of this study was to examine associations between daily fluctuations in work–family conflict (i.e. work-to-family interference [WFI] and family-to-work interference [FWI]) and daily fluctuations in toddler parenting (i.e. controlling parenting practices), thereby investigating day-to-day feelings of parental emotional exhaustion as an underlying mechanism. Both mothers and fathers participated in a five-day diary study when their child was in the first year of kindergarten (N = 118, 53.39% fathers). At the between-person level, work–family conflict (both WFI and FWI) was significantly related to controlling parenting practices. Further, an indirect effect was found between work–family conflict (both WFI and FWI) and controlling parenting via parental emotional exhaustion. At the within-person level, work–family conflict (both WFI and FWI) was not directly related to controlling parenting practices but was indirectly related to controlling parenting via feelings of emotional exhaustion. The findings highlight the importance of balancing work and family life, both in terms of parents’ mental health (i.e. parental emotional exhaustion) as in terms of the quality of parenting." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Cervini, Maria & Jose I. Silva (2023): Childcare restrictions and gender gap in labor outcomes. (MPRA paper / University Library of Munich 118957), München, 23 S.

Abstract

"Persistent gender gaps exist in labor market outcomes. This study contributes to the literature by examining the gender gap effects of childcare restrictions. Specifically, not using professional childcare services due to issues like access, quality, or costs. Using a specialized module from the 2018 Spanish Labor Force Survey, we identify substantial gender gaps in labor force, employment, full-time employment and hours worked among parents facing childcare constraints. In contrast, parents without such restrictions experience much lower gender gaps. Working time flexibility helps to alleviate the gender gap in hours worked. Additionally, we explore the long-run consequences of extended work interruptions for childcare, revealing a significant decline in women's labor supply, employment rates and full-time share, particularly for career breaks lasting 5 years or more." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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De La Porte, Caroline, Zhen Jie Im, Brigitte Pircher & Dorota Szelewa (2023): The EU's work-life balance directive: Institutional change of father-specific leave across member states. In: Social Policy and Administration, Jg. 57, H. 4, S. 549-563. DOI:10.1111/spol.12920

Abstract

"This paper examines institutional change in father-specific leave - a centre-piece of the EU's work-life balance directive (WLBD) - from the perspective of gradual institutional change. The WLBD, a highly contentious directive, represents a litmus test for the possible impact of the European pillar of social rights (EPSR), on welfare state institutions, which are responsible for the organisation, financing and delivery of social rights in member states. The analysis comprises in-depth case studies in Denmark, Germany, France and Poland, with different combinations of family and parental leave policies prior to the WLBD. The findings reveal that the EU's directive is leading to convergence in paternity leave, but to divergence in parental leave. Our study is important because it shows that even if EU directives in social policy in principle can lead to upwards social convergence across the EU, when they are relatively weak in terms of precise constraint, for instance, for the level of remuneration for leave, this leads to differentiated integration. This could undermine the very purpose of the EPSR, which seeks to improve social rights for all citizens across the EU. Similar dynamics are likely to be present in other areas at the welfare state-labor market nexus, such as minimum wages or platform work, where the EU is also developing regulation under the auspices of the EPSR." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Eichhorn, Thomas, Simone Schüller, Hannah Sinja Steinberg & Claudia Zerle-Elsäßer (2023): Family Climate in Pandemic Times: Adolescents and Mothers. In: Social Inclusion, Jg. 11, H. 1, S. 282-294., 2022-11-04. DOI:10.17645/si.v11i1.6007

Abstract

"In this article, we examine changes in family climate during the first Covid-19-related lockdown in Germany. We compare the perspectives of mothers and adolescents to explore whether the factors of perceived changes in family climate are systematically and significantly different between these groups. We measure family climate as positive emotional climate, a sub-dimension of the family environment scale, to capture a feeling of cohesion and emotional openness within the family. Based on family system theory and the family stress model, we expect an overall deterioration in family climate due to increased environmental adaptation in the pandemic. Furthermore, we expect family climate to deteriorate less when families have economic and social resources available. On the other hand, we assume that being employed and/or primarily responsible for family care relates to a stronger decline in the family climate. We employ longitudinal survey data (AID:A) from around 300 German families with children aged nine to 17 and apply individual fixed effects models to investigate changes in family climate from 2019 to 2020. Almost half of our respondents report a decrease in family climate. For mothers, the share of unpaid care work at home is the only significant predictor: Mothers doing more than 80% of the chores and childcare feel a greater decrease in family climate. For adolescents, however, being at risk of poverty and having less frequent family activities are important predictors of stronger decreases in family climate. In summary, our results illustrate the relevance of distinguishing between the perspective of children and parents in family studies." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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English, Claire & Gareth Brown (2023): My mum is on strike! Social reproduction and the (emotional) labor of 'mothering work' in neoliberal Britain. In: Gender, work & organization, Jg. 30, H. 6, S. 1941-1959. DOI:10.1111/gwao.13027

Abstract

"This article will explore the ways mothers and carers use the term ‘emotional labor’ to describe the exhaustion and burnout associated with socially reproductive tasks, rather than the performance of affective labor in the workplace. Scholars of social reproduction theory claim that emotion is key to understanding the specificities of gendered alienation, yet it remains under‐theorised. This article seeks to understand how the emotional lives of carers have been transformed by neoliberal processes that have intensified labor both within and beyond the home. Drawing on interviews with participants from the 2019 ‘My Mum is on Strike’ stay and play event, alongside ethnographic insights from online mothering blogs, sometimes referred to as the ‘mamasphere’ (Wilson et al., 2017), this article seeks to contextualizethe experiences of carers who narrate their reproductive labor as emotional ‘work’. Given the conditions of neoliberal rationality and the marketization of society, where every ‘field of activity… and entity (whether public or private, whether person, business, or state) is understood as a market and governed as a firm’ (Brown, 2015), emotional labor and the associated gendered expectations may begin to ‘feel like’ work, and we argue that this is felt in a specific way by those carrying out mothering labor, warranting further academic investigation." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Fendel, Tanja & Beate Jochimsen (2023): Betreuungsgeld – familienpolitische Leistung oder Hindernis bei der Arbeitsmarktintegration? In: Wirtschaftsdienst, Jg. 103, H. 5, S. 309-313., 2023-05-10. DOI:10.2478/wd-2023-0096

Abstract

"Deutschland steuert seit einigen Jahren auf einen gravierenden Arbeits- und Fachkräftemangel zu. Dabei gibt es nach wie vor erhebliche geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede bei der Erwerbsbeteiligung. Die Bemühungen, die Erwerbsbeteiligung von Frauen zu steigern, spielen eine zentrale Rolle. Dennoch gab es von 2013 bis 2015 in Deutschland ein bundesweites Betreuungsgeld für Eltern, die keine öffentliche Kinderbetreuung für Kinder im Alter von einem oder zwei Jahren in Anspruch nahmen. Auch nach 2015 gab es ein Betreuungsgeld oder vergleichbare Leistungen in mehreren Bundesländern. Es stellt sich die Frage, welchen Einfluss ein Betreuungsgeld auf die Erwerbsbeteiligung von Müttern hat." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Ferragina, Emanuele & Edoardo Magalini (2023): Maternal Employment and Childcare Use from an Intersectional Perspective: Stratification along Class, Contractual and Gender Lines in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the UK. In: Social Politics, Jg. 30, H. 3, S. 871-902. DOI:10.1093/sp/jxad021

Abstract

"Connecting streams of feminist and comparative social policy literature, this article investigates stratification in maternal employment and childcare use along class, contractual, and gender lines across six countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) and five family policy models. Detailing the different stratifying factors that intervene in the relation between maternal employment and childcare use offers a concrete analysis of the complex link between social reproduction and work. Employing multivariate regressions and EU-SILC (2007–2018) data, it provides an intersectional perspective to the literature. First, we observe a process of formalization in childcare use with a parallel reduction of nonformal care for couples; this process is slower for single mothers. Second, we document a paradox in relation to the social investment approach: the relation between childcare use and maternal employment is stronger in countries that recently expanded childcare to modify their male-breadwinner orientation, but in these countries childcare use is more stratified along class/contract types, a concern for the outcomes of social investment strategies outside of Scandinavia. Being out of work, being in a lower social class, fulfilling domestic tasks and/or care activities, and having an atypical contract negatively correlates with childcare use in most countries. Third, households where partners have more similar earning levels use childcare to a greater extent. The article also provides models employing different dependent and independent variables, alternative family structures, full and part-time work, formal and nonformal childcare, and rich country details." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Hammermann, Andrea & Oliver Stettes (2023): Unternehmensmonitor Familienfreundlichkeit 2023. (Unternehmensmonitor Familienfreundlichkeit 2023), Berlin, 33 S.

Abstract

"Der Unternehmensmonitor Familienfreundlichkeit berichtet aus der Perspektive von Personalverantwortlichen und Beschäftigten, wie sich die Familienfreundlichkeit im Betrieb gestalten lässt, wie sie im Alltag gelebt werden kann und worauf es Beschäftigten mit unterschiedlichen Erwerbsbiografien und Lebenshintergründen ankommt. Das Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft setzt mit dem Unternehmensmonitor Familienfreundlichkeit 2023 die vom Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend geförderte Befragungsreihe fort. Die aktuelle Untersuchung unterstreicht den Stellenwert einer guten Vereinbarkeit für eine nachhaltige Strategie zur Fachkräftesicherung. Aufgrund der demografischen Entwicklung zeichnet sich in Deutschland seit Längerem eine Verknappung des Arbeitskräfteangebots ab. Sie ist schon heute in den Unternehmen spürbar. Dies belegt auch der Unternehmensmonitor Familienfreundlichkeit 2023: Drei von vier Unternehmen weisen hierzulande erhebliche Probleme auf, Fachkräfte zu rekrutieren. Fachkräfte- beziehungsweise Arbeitskräfteengpässe werden in vielen Bereichen zunehmend zum Hemmnis wirtschaftlicher Entwicklung (BA, 2023, Seite 14 ff.; Tiedemann/Malin, 2023). Neben einer zeitgemäßen Ausbildung, einer gezielten Weiterbildung und einem verstärkten Werben um ausländische Fachkräfte braucht es auch Lösungsansätze, mit denen das Potenzial an heimischen Arbeitskräften noch besser erschlossen werden kann (Bundesregierung, 2022). Wie (zeitliche) Konflikte zwischen familiären und beruflichen Verpflichtungen wahrgenommen werden, ist ein zentraler Einflussfaktor bei Entscheidungen von Menschen im Laufe ihrer gesamten Erwerbsbiografie, vom Berufs- bis zum Renteneintritt." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Hermes, Henning, Marina Krauß, Philipp Lergetporer, Frauke Peter & Simon Wiederhold (2023): Frühkindliche Betreuung erhöht den Arbeitsmarkterfolg von Müttern ohne Abitur. In: Wirtschaft im Wandel, Jg. 29, H. 3, S. 52-55.

Abstract

"In den meisten Ländern wirkt sich die Geburt eines Kindes negativ auf den Arbeitsmarkterfolg von Müttern aus, insbesondere bei Müttern mit niedrigerem Schulabschluss. In diesem Beitrag werden die Ergebnisse eines Feldexperiments in Deutschland vorgestellt, in dem Familien bei der Bewerbung für einen Platz in einer Kindertagesstätte (Kita) unterstützt wurden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass der verbesserte Zugang zu frühkindlicher Betreuung die Wahrscheinlichkeit erhöht, dass Mütter ohne Abitur in Vollzeit arbeiten, und deren Haushaltseinkommen steigert. Um den Arbeitsmarkterfolg von Müttern zu verbessern, sollte die Politik den Zugang zu frühkindlicher Betreuung erleichtern und die Zahl der Kita-Plätze noch weiter erhöhen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Ilciucas, Julius (2023): Fertility and parental retirement. In: Journal of Public Economics, Jg. 226. DOI:10.1016/j.jpubeco.2023.104928

Abstract

"I study how reduced retirement opportunities in one generation affect fertility in the subsequent generation. I use administrative Dutch data and exploit the 2006 Dutch pension reform, which induced individuals born from January 1, 1950 onward to delay retirement while exempting those born earlier. I find that this reform reduced fertility among women with affected mothers. The reduction is economically significant and persists after the impact on retirement fades out. I supplement my analysis with survey evidence and argue that the fertility reduction can be explained by reduced grandparental child care supply." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2022 Elsevier) ((en))

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Juncke, David, Claire Samtleben & Evelyn Stoll (2023): Väterreport 2023. Entwicklungen und Daten zur Vielfalt der Väter in Deutschland. (Väterreport ... / Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend), Berlin, 74 S.

Abstract

"Der neue Väterreport zeigt, dass sich Väter viel stärker als früher eine partnerschaftlich organisierte Aufgabenteilung in der Familie wünschen. Jeder zweite Vater möchte gern die Hälfte der Betreuung übernehmen. Tatsächlich gelingt dies nur jedem fünften Vater. Die Lücke zwischen Wunsch und Wirklichkeit ist noch immer groß. Der Väterreport beschreibt auf Basis amtlicher Statistiken, wissenschaftlicher Studien und repräsentativer Bevölkerungsbefragungen die Lebenslagen, Werte und Einstellungen von Vätern in Deutschland." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Kosyakova, Yuliya, Zerrin Salikutluk & Jörg Hartmann (2023): Gender employment gap at arrival and its dynamics: The case of refugees in Germany. In: Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, Jg. 87, 2023-08-27. DOI:10.1016/j.rssm.2023.100842

Abstract

"In recent years, refugee women’s experiences have received considerable attention in the academic discourse on immigrant labor market integration. Taking a dynamic perspective, we investigate gender differences in the labor market integration of refugees who arrived in Germany between 2013 and 2019. We examine refugees' trajectories in the early post-arrival period and explore a number of conditions that have been proposed to influence gendered labor market outcomes. Using panel data from the IAB-BAMF-SOEP Refugee Sample, we find initially narrow gender differences among refugees that gradually widen over time. While initial differences in human capital and care responsibilities contribute significantly to the gender gap in employment in the first year after arrival, our study shows that the gap widens primarily due to refugee women experiencing lower returns to their human and social capital and health, as well as bearing a heavier burden of childcare responsibilities. These findings highlight the compounded disadvantages that refugee women face in the host country due to their limited ability to fully utilize their labor market resources, coupled with their primary responsibility for childcare. Moreover, our findings suggest that existing theoretical explanations in the literature are insufficient to fully explain the barriers refugee women face when entering the labor market." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Elsevier) ((en))

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Kouki, Amairisa (2023): Beyond the “Comforts” of work from home: Child health and the female wage penalty. In: European Economic Review, Jg. 157. DOI:10.1016/j.euroecorev.2023.104527

Abstract

"Using data on American women and the health status of their children, this paper provides estimates of the effect of remote work on female wages. A temporary child health shock, which does not affect a woman's labor market outcomes beyond inducing her to work at home, is used as an instrument. Instrumental variable estimates indicate a substantial wage penalty that is more likely attributed to women's choices or assignments of less promotable job tasks when working from home. The findings are valuable in assessing the costs associated with remote flexibility, especially when children are required to stay at home during episodes of illness." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2023 Elsevier) ((en))

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Köppl-Turyna, Monika & Nikolaus Graf (2023): Kinderbetreuung und Vereinbarkeit im internationalen Vergleich: Update des EcoAustria Scoreboard-Indikators. (Policy note / EcoAustria - Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung 54), Wien, 21 S.

Abstract

"Die Verfügbarkeit qualitativ hochwertiger, örtlich erreichbarer, zeitlich flexibler Kinderbetreuung stellt eine Grundvoraussetzung der Vereinbarkeit von Beruf und Familie dar. Österreich weist eine überdurchschnittliche Erwerbsbeteiligung von Müttern auf, zugleich findet diese Erwerbsbeteiligung sehr häufig in Form von Teilzeitbeschäftigung statt. Teilzeitbeschäftigung stellt wieder mit, eine Ursache für geschlechtsspezifische Ungleichheiten am Arbeitsmarkt dar. Institutionelle Kinderbetreuung kann die Arbeitsmarktteilnahme von Müttern befördern und zu einer Ausweitung der Arbeitszeit führen. Zugleich gehen von Kinderbetreuung positive Effekte auf die Bildungsergebnisse und auf die schulische Integration bildungsbenachteiligter Kinder aus. In Anbetracht der aktuellen Arbeitskräfteknappheit kann eine Ausweitung der Erwerbsintegration von Müttern eine Option darstellen, die Nachfrage nach Arbeitskräften zu decken. Kurzum: Von Kinderbetreuung gehen viele positive, gesellschaftlich und politisch erwünschte Effekte aus. Dennoch: Trotz der in der jüngeren Vergangenheit erzielten Fortschritte sind etwa bei der Betreuung von Kleinkindern unter drei Jahren und im Hinblick auf verlängerte flexible Öffnungszeiten am Tagesrand sowie Schließtage während den Ferien Aufholpotenziale insbesondere in ländlichen Regionen gegeben. [...]" (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Lawitzky, Corinna & Antje Weyh (2023): Der Preis von Mutterschaft – die Lohnlücke zwischen Frauen mit und ohne Kinder in Ost- und Westdeutschland. In: Gender, Jg. 15, H. 1, S. 119-137., 2021-12-07. DOI:10.3224/gender.v15i1.09

Abstract

"Die vorliegende Studie analysiert die Lohnlücke zwischen Frauen mit und ohne Kinder vor dem Hintergrund unterschiedlicher gesellschaftlicher Rollenbilder in Ost- und Westdeutschland. Die Datengrundlage bildet die Beschäftigtenhistorik des Instituts für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung, die Angaben zu allen sozialversicherungspflichtig Beschäftigten in Deutschland enthält. Vollzeitbeschäftigte Frauen mit Kindern verdienen weniger als Frauen ohne Kinder, wobei dieser Lohnunterschied in Westdeutschland deutlich größer ausfällt als in Ostdeutschland. Mittels einer Oaxaca-Blinder-Zerlegung weisen wir wichtige Einflussfaktoren aus und können einen bereinigten Lohnunterschied ermitteln. Dabei deuten die Ergebnisse der Zerlegungen darauf hin, dass historische Unterschiede bezüglich der gesellschaftlichen Leitbilder zur Mutterrolle in Ost- und Westdeutschland weiterhin bestehen. Die Abkehr vom traditionellen Bild der Mutterrolle ist somit nach wie vor relevant für den Abbau des Lohnnachteils für Mütter." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku, © Budrich)