Zitatform

Bister, Lara, Peter Eibich, Roberta Rutigliano, Mine Kühn & Karen van Hedel (2025): Selection into maternity leave length and long-run maternal health in Germany. In: Journal of Social Policy, Jg. 54, H. 2, S. 528-547. DOI:10.1017/S0047279423000429

Abstract

"Existing literature shows the importance of maternity leave as a strategy for women to balance work and family responsibilities. However, only a few studies focused on the long-run impact of maternity leave length on maternal health. Therefore, how exactly they are related remains unclear. We examine women’s selection into different lengths of maternity leave as a potential explanation for the inconclusive findings in the literature on the association between maternity leave and maternal health. This study aims to unravel the association between maternity leave length and mothers’ long-term health in Germany. Drawing on detailed data from the German Statutory Pension Fund (DRV), we estimated the association between maternity leave length and sick leave from 3 years following their child’s birth for 4,243 women living in Germany in 2015 by applying discrete-time logistic regression. Our results show a negative relationship between maternity-leave length and long-term maternal health, likely driven by negative health selection. Long maternity leaves of more than 24 months were associated with worse maternal health in the long run, while a positive association emerged for vulnerable women with pre-existing health problems." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Cross, Christine, Colette Darcy & Thomas Garavan (2025): Work re-entry following maternity leave for first-time mothers: An events, social identity and intersectional theories informed identity work framework. In: Gender, work & organization, Jg. 32, H. 2, S. 590-609. DOI:10.1111/gwao.13162

Abstract

"Many first-time mothers experience significant identity issues on work re-entry following maternity leave, an important individual and life-related event. Work re-entry prompts significant identity tensions leading to identity work challenges and potential career changes. We address this significant life event and develop a subjective identity informed conceptual framework explaining its key components and outcomes. We propose that for first-time mothers, re-entry following maternity leave triggers a cognitive and subjective assessment of identity threat and opportunity leading to the use of multiple identity work strategies to address personal, role, and collective identities. We analyze the impacts of these reworked identities and identity work for career decision making and outcomes. We theoretically underpin our framework using event systems, a subjective perspective on social identity and intersectional theories and in doing so, propose future research questions and highlight implications for national policy and organizational practices." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

Zitatform

Petts, Richard J., Reilly Kincaid, Trenton D. Mize & Gayle Kaufman (2025): Gone too long or back too soon? Perceptions of paid parental leave‐taking and variations by gender and family structure. In: Journal of Marriage and Family, S. 1-24. DOI:10.1111/jomf.13101

Abstract

"Objective: This study examines perceptions of paid leave-taking itself and variations in these perceptions by parent gender, sexual orientation, and marital status. Background: Previous research largely focuses on the consequences associated with leave-taking, particularly highlighting workplace penalties associated with leave-taking. There has also been limited attention to workers with diverse family forms. We seek to better understand the culture surrounding paid parental leave in the U.S. by focusing on evaluations of leave-taking itself and whether such evaluations may reduce or exacerbate inequalities by gender, sexual orientation, and marital status. Method: We use data on 2964 U.S. respondents from a survey experiment in which employer-offered paid parental leave-taking, parent gender, sexual orientation, and marital status were randomly assigned. We use OLS models to assess perceptions of paid leave-taking and the causal effects of parent gender, sexual orientation, and marital status on these perceptions. Results: We find that respondents view 11 weeks of paid parental leave as the right amount of leave, on average. We also find variations in perceptions of leave-taking by parent gender, sexual orientation, and marital status; mothers with husbands and single parents are viewed more favorably for taking longer leaves than fathers with wives, mothers with wives, and fathers with husbands. Conclusion: There is increasing support for paid leave within the U.S., but support for parents' leave-taking largely reflects gendered stereotypes and may reinforce broader patterns of gender inequality." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Portier, Camille (2025): Occupational autonomy, paid maternity leave, and mothers' return to work after childbirth. In: Journal of Marriage and Family, S. 1-25. DOI:10.1111/jomf.13089

Abstract

"Objective: This study formulates and tests a resource substitution hypothesis, examining whether mothers rely more on occupational autonomy to balance work and childrearing when paid maternity leave is unavailable. Background: The tension between working for pay and caring for young children is crucial to understanding women's employment trajectories, especially in the United States, with its limited formal support for mothers around childbirth. In this context, occupational characteristics such as autonomy may serve as an important resource for working women to draw upon during the transition to motherhood. Method: Using data from the first 19 rounds of the NLSY97 (N = 1813) and the O*NET, the author estimates logistic models and discrete‐time event history models to consider the relationship between occupational autonomy, use of paid leave, and whether and when mothers come back to work after childbirth. Results: The results highlight the nature of autonomy as a valuable resource in the transition back to work and confirm the resource substitution hypothesis. Mothers in occupations with greater autonomy are not only more likely to return to work after childbirth but also do so more promptly, particularly in the absence of paid leave. Conclusion: These findings are significant, given the enduring impact of post‐childbirth career breaks and the limited access to paid leave in the United States. They underscore the potential of occupational autonomy in mitigating the adverse effects of motherhood on career progression and in reducing disparities among mothers across various labor market sectors." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Valentova, Marie, Roland Maas & Alison Koslowski (2025): Parental Leave Challenges From the Perspective of Employers: Understanding Sectors With Low Take‐Up by Fathers. In: Gender, work & organization. DOI:10.1111/gwao.13259

Abstract

"Parental leave policies are designed to facilitate the reconciliation of family and work life. Usage of leave is related to various factors, including the parent's gender, as well as their workplace and employer's characteristics. A wealth of research has explored employees' perceptions of the role of workplaces on leave-taking, yet considerably less is known about the perspective of employers. This paper examines the challenges employers face while implementing parental leave reforms aimed at increasing take up by men. We conducted semi-structured interviews with staff responsible for implementing leave in Luxembourg-based companies where low take-up by fathers is most prevalent. We explore the perceptions of difficulties related to leave usage that companies encounter. The results show that that full-time leave remains the most common choice, while part-time or split leave is less utilized. The employers in the study report difficulties in reorganizing work, finding replacements, and reintegrating employees. The organization of replacement cover appears more challenging when employees take full-time rather than part-time leave and when employees with a highly-specialized job (irrespective of their level of education) take parental leave. These employers tend to cope with replacement issues by negotiating with employees to take more informal forms of leave or by simply not hiring employees in a certain life stage." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((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

Brehm, Uta & Nadja Milewski (2024): Is part-time employment a temporary 'stepping stone' or a lasting 'mommy track'? Legislation and mothers' transition to full-time employment in Germany. In: Journal of European Social Policy, Jg. 34, H. 3, S. 354-369. DOI:10.1177/09589287231224607

Abstract

"Research on reconciling family and employment debates if maternal part-time employment works as ‘stepping stone’ to full-time employment or as gateway to a long-term ‘mommy track’. We analyze how mothers’ transition from part-time to full-time employment is shaped by changing reconciliation legislations and how this is moderated by reconciliation-relevant factors like individual behaviors and macro conditions. We extend the literature on work–family reconciliation by investigating mothers’ employment behavior after the birth of their last child, i.e., after the family formative phase. We draw upon Germany with its considerable regional and historical heterogeneity. Using event history methods on SOEP-data, we observe mothers who (re)enter part-time employment (i.e., up to 30 weekly working hours) after their last childbirth. Results suggest that the impact of reconciliation legislations depends on the moderation by other factors. Recent reconciliation-friendly legislations may have contributed to the polarization of maternal employment patterns: more and less employment-oriented mothers diverge sooner after childbirth than before. Legislations co-occur with increases both in childcare institutions and part-time culture, but their moderation effects compete. Hence, boosting part-time work as either a ‘stepping stone’ or a ‘mommy track’ requires a deep understanding of the mechanisms behind legislations as well as more explicit policy incentives." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Bächmann, Ann-Christin, Corinna Frodermann & Katharina Wrohlich (2024): Elternzeiten während der Covid-19-Pandemie in Deutschland: Frauen, die in der Pandemie Mutter wurden, unterbrechen ihre Erwerbstätigkeit länger. (IAB-Kurzbericht 17/2024), Nürnberg, 8 S. DOI:10.48720/IAB.KB.2417

Abstract

"Die Geburt eines Kindes und die damit einhergehende Erwerbsunterbrechung haben für Mütter erhebliche Folgen für ihre weitere Karriere. Insbesondere die Dauer der Unterbrechung spielt hierfür eine wichtige Rolle. Infolge der Covid-19-Pandemie gab es weitreichende Umbrüche auf dem Arbeitsmarkt, etwa einen drastischen Anstieg der Kurzarbeit sowie zentrale Einschnitte in der außerhäuslichen Kinderbetreuung. Vor diesem Hintergrund haben die Autorinnen analysiert, ob sich familienbedingte Erwerbsunterbrechungen von Müttern während der Pandemie verlängert haben." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Carlson, Lisa, Karen Benjamin Guzzo & Hsueh-Sheng Wu (2024): Birth Spacing and Working Mothers' Within-Organization Career Paths. In: Socius, Jg. 10. DOI:10.1177/23780231241230845

Abstract

"The mechanisms behind mothers’ wage penalties remain unclear. In this article, the authors consider the role of birth spacing and changes in employers after a second birth. Using the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth and competing risk event history models, the authors investigate how spacing between first and second births influences the likelihood of returning to a pre–second birth employer, changing employers, or remaining outside of the labor force within six months of the second birth. The authors find no differences in the influence of birth spacing on the likelihood of returning to an employer versus changing employers but that shorter birth spacings relate to lower likelihoods of returning to the labor market. There is some evidence that birth spacing and postbirth employment varies by age at first birth, marital status, and occupation. Overall, the results suggest that although birth spacing is relevant for returning postbirth to employment, job changes are unlikely to drive mothers’ wage penalties." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((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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Delaporte, Isaure & Hill Kulu (2024): Family Formation and Employment Changes Among Descendants of Immigrants in France: A Multiprocess Analysis. In: European Journal of Population, Jg. 40. DOI:10.1007/s10680-024-09709-3

Abstract

"This paper investigates the association between family formation and the labour market trajectories of immigrants’ descendants overthe life course. Using rich data from the Trajectories and Origins survey from France, we apply multilevel event history models to analyse the transitions in and out of employment for both men and women by parity. We account for unobserved co-determinants of childbearing and employment by applying a simultaneous-equations modelling. Our analysis shows that women’s professional careers are negatively associated with childbirth. There are differences across descendant groups. The female descendants of Turkish immigrants are more likely to exit employment and less likely to re-enter employment following childbirth than women from other groups. The negative impact of childbearing on employment is slightly overestimated among women due to unobserved selection effects. Among men, the descendants of European immigrants are less likely to exit employment after having a child than other descendant groups. The study demonstrates the negative effect of childbearing on women’s employment, which is pronounced for some minority groups suggesting the need for further policies to help women reconcile work with family life." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Springer-Verlag) ((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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Fitzenberger, Bernd & Arnim Seidlitz (2024): Changing Fertility and Heterogeneous Motherhood Effects: Revisiting the Effects of a Parental Benefits Reform. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 16966), Bonn, 54 S.

Abstract

"Using a semiparametric event study approach with a control group, we estimate the effect of motherhood on labor market outcomes in Germany, the child penalty. We further investigate how the 2007 parental benefits reform changed the child penalty while accounting for fertility effects. A large novel data set linking data from two administrative sources provides information on all births. Our estimation approach accounts for motherhood being a staggered treatment. The reform has small positive medium-run effects employment outcomes. It changes the selection into fertility and shows heterogeneous effects. However, the reform did little to reduce the average child penalty." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Guner, Nezih, Ezgi Kaya & Virginia Sánchez-Marcos (2024): Labor Market Institutions and Fertility. (HCEO working paper / Human capital and economic opportunity global working group 2024,006), Chicago, Ill., 74 S.

Abstract

"Among high-income countries, fertility rates differ significantly, with some experiencing total fertility rates as low as 1 to 1.3 children per woman. However, the reasons behind low fertility rates are not well understood. We show that uncertainty created by dual labor markets, the coexistence of temporary and open-ended contracts, and the inflexibility of work schedules are crucial to understanding low fertility. Using rich administrative data from the Spanish Social Security records, we document that temporary contracts are associated with a lower probability of first birth. With Time Use data, we also show that women with children are less likely to work in jobs with split-shift schedules. Such jobs have a long break in the middle of the day, and present a concrete example of inflexible work arrangements and fixed time cost of work. We then build a life-cycle model in which married women decide whether to work, how many children to have, and when to have them. Reforms that eliminate duality or split-shift schedules increase women's labor force participation and reduce the employment gap between mothers and non-mothers. They also increase fertility for women who are employed. Reforming these labor market institutions and providing childcare subsidies would increase the completed fertility of married women to 1.8 children." (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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Huebener, Mathias, Jonas Jessen, Daniel Kühnle & Michael Oberfichtner (2024): Parental Leave, Worker Substitutability, and Firms' Employment. In: The Economic Journal, S. 1-39. DOI:10.1093/ej/ueae114

Abstract

"Motherhood and parental leave are frequent causes of worker absences and employment interruptions, yet little is known about their effects on firms. Based on linked employer-employee data from Germany, we examine how parental leave absences affect small-and medium-sized firms. We show that they anticipate the absence with replacement hirings in the six months before childbirth. A 2007 parental leave reform extending leave absences reduces firm-level employment and total wages up to three years after childbirth, driven by firms with few internal substitutes for the absent mother. However, we do not find longer-term effects on firms’ employment, wage bill, or likelihood to shut down. The reform led to an increase in replacement hirings, but firms did not respond to longer expected absences of mothers by subsequently hiring fewer young women. Overall, our findings show that anticipated, extended parental leave does not have a lasting impact on firms." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Oxford University Press) ((en))

Zitatform

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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Oehrli, Dominique, Isabelle Stadelmann-Steffen & Meret Lütolf (2024): How Does the Provision of Childcare Services Affect Mothers' Employment Intentions? Empirical Evidence from a Conjoint Experiment. In: Journal of Social Policy, Jg. 53, S. 450-469. DOI:10.1017/S0047279422000423

Abstract

"Numerous studies have demonstrated that the provision of early childhood education and childcare services (ECEC) is associated with higher women’s participation in the labor market.However, many questions about the causal relationship between the supply of childcare and patterns of female employment remain open. In an effort to overcome common endogeneity problems, we conducted a conjoint experiment in Switzerland, which enables us to analyze mothers’ employmentintentions in different – and even in some hypothetical – contexts. Our results demonstrate that improving the provision of ECEC services does affect mothers’ intentions to engage in paid labor. Nevertheless, mothers comprise a heterogeneous group. As expected, ECEC services’effects are limited for mothers with comparatively high levels of employment. In contrast, mothers with low levels of employment are quite reactive to changing policy contexts, especially if external childcare spots for preschoolers become affordable. Notably, elasticity is present not only in the behavior of women with preferences for supplementary, external childcare, but also in that of women with preferences for parental or home-centered childcare. Our study thus highlights childcare policies ’ potential to change the patterns of female employment in contexts marked by persistent traditional gender roles and limited childcare provision." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Rúdólfsdóttir, Annadís Greta & Auður Magndís Auðardóttir (2024): “I feel like I am betraying my child”: The socio-politics of maternal guilt and shame. In: Gender, work & organization, Jg. 31, H. 6, S. 2733-2748. DOI:10.1111/gwao.13124

Abstract

"In this paper, we explore maternal shame and guilt as affective derivatives of social regulations of motherhood in Iceland, which is internationally perceived as a frontrunner in gender equality. We analyze 450 qualitative questionnaires completed by parents describing feelings of guilt and shame in connection to parenthood. We use 76 questionnaires completed by fathers to contrast and compare to answers from mothers to better understand the affective-discursive workings of motherhood. The affective-discursive analytical framework allows us to understand affective pulls, pushes, power dynamics and their social politics. The findings are contextualized in the Nordic welfare state, neoliberalism, the current ethos of intensive mothering. The recurrent thread running through the data is the idea of the ever-present mother, and under this umbrella concept, we have developed two affective-discursive themes: (i) the guilt of working (long hours) and having to arrange for childcare and (ii) failing to be 100% present for the child. We conclude that the emotions of guilt and shame are consistently present in mothers' lives, much more so than in fathers' lives, and that this gendered pattern is both caused by and serves to reinforce the age-old cultural mandate that mothers are primarily responsible for child rearing. The marks of intensive mothering are evident in mothers' description of feeling guilty for everyday tasks such as working, cleaning, studying, arranging for daycare, sending their children to preschool, and attending to their own needs. This gendered pattern suggests that the gender equality cornerstone of the Nordic welfare state might be at risk as important institutions, such as preschools, are perceived as inferior to mothers' constant attention." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Yu, Wei-hsin & Janet Chen-Lan Kuo (2024): Parenthood, earnings, and the relevance of family formation sequences. In: Social science research, Jg. 121. DOI:10.1016/j.ssresearch.2024.103027

Abstract

"Prior research sheds little light on how shifts in family formation trajectories have implications for recent cohorts’ earnings gains and losses with childbearing. Using longitudinal data from a contemporary cohort, we examine how the pay premium or penalty for parents varies by their relationship status at childbirth and subsequent changes in the status. Fixed effects models show that children born to unpartnered women are associated with substantial pay penalties for the mothers. Conversely, women giving birth within cohabiting or marital unions experience small or no motherhood penalties. For residential fathers, only children born after marriage are linked to pay increases. Men having children while cohabiting or unpartnered receive no fatherhood premiums even if they later transition into marriage. Married mothers’ earnings outcomes also depend on their sequence of marriage and childbearing. Whereas women bearing children before marriage encounter a substantial motherhood penalty, those doing so after marriage face none. The variation in parenthood penalties or premiums by childbearing context cannot be entirely elucidated by the differences in the age of entering parenthood, ethnoracial composition, education, or pre-parenthood earnings growth rate among people having children in various contexts. We suggest that the family formation sequence is related to individuals’ expectations and the support they receive for their parental roles, which shape parenthood earnings outcomes." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2024 Elsevier) ((en))

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Zimmert, Franziska & Michael Zimmert (2024): Part-time subsidies and maternal reemployment: Evidence from a difference-in-differences analysis. In: Journal of Applied Econometrics, Jg. 39, H. 6, S. 1149-1171., 2024-06-01. DOI:10.1002/jae.3072

Abstract

"Employment interruptions of mothers are still one of the main causes for different labor market outcomes between women and men. Employment subsidies can incentivise mothers to shorten employment interruptions after childbirth. We examine a German parental leave reform incentivizing an early return to part-time work. Exploiting the exogenous variation defined by the child's birthday, we apply unconditional difference-in-differences (DiD) estimation using administrative data. Machine learning augmented DiD estimation shows that our findings are robust to the inclusion of a large dictionary of potential covariates. Additionally, we estimate conditional effects in the DiD setting. Our results show that being eligible to the new regime yields positive average employment effects that are mainly driven by part-time employment. In particular, the increased attractiveness of part-time work does not cannibalize full-time employment. The policy creates heterogeneous incentives depending on the opportunity costs of working part time: especially mothers with middle income and prior part-time workers respond to the reform. Besides, diverging results for East and West Germany hint at the potential of a change in social norms." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Artmann, Elisabeth (2023): Erwerbsverläufe und frühzeitige Aktivierung von Bedarfsgemeinschaften mit kleinen Kindern. (IAB-Forschungsbericht 03/2023), Nürnberg, 36 S. DOI:10.48720/IAB.FB.2303

Abstract

"Arbeitslosengeld-II-Beziehende sind grundsätzlich verpflichtet, Anstrengungen zu unternehmen, um ihren Leistungsbezug zu beenden oder zu verringern. Dazu zählt die Pflicht zur Arbeitssuche und Teilnahme an angebotenen Maßnahmen der aktiven Arbeitsmarktpolitik. Eine Ausnahme von dieser Regelung betrifft Bedarfsgemeinschaften, die Kinder unter drei Jahren betreuen. Hier kann sich ein Partner auf die Erziehung des Kindes berufen und muss dem Arbeitsmarkt nicht zur Verfügung stehen, kann dies aber auf freiwilliger Basis tun. Der vorliegende Forschungsbericht untersucht anhand von administrativen Daten zunächst, wie sich die Arbeitsmarktverläufe von Eltern im Arbeitslosengeld-II-Bezug in den ersten vier Lebensjahren ihres Kindes entwickeln. Des Weiteren wird analysiert, in welchem Umfang Mütter und Väter in diesem Zeitraum von den Jobcentern in gemeinsamen Einrichtungen aktiviert werden. Im Sinne von Aktivierung werden sowohl Betreuungstermine im Jobcenter als auch Teilnahmen an arbeitsmarktpolitischen Maßnahmen betrachtet. Die Stichprobe für diese Untersuchungen umfasst Bedarfsgemeinschaften, in denen in den Jahren 2014 oder 2015 ein Kind geboren wurde und die zumindest am Tag der Geburt des Kindes Arbeitslosengeld II bezogen. Die Erwerbsverläufe von Müttern und Vätern weisen darauf hin, dass vor allem Frauen die Betreuung der Kinder übernehmen und für den Arbeitsmarkt nicht verfügbar sind. Ein wesentlicher Teil der Mütter in der Stichprobe ist in den ersten drei Lebensjahren des Kindes als „nicht arbeitsuchend” gemeldet, während der Anteil von Müttern in sozialversicherungspflichtiger Beschäftigung mit dem Alter des Kindes zunimmt, aber während des Beobachtungszeitraums niedrig bleibt. Nach dem dritten Geburtstag des Kindes zeigt sich insgesamt ein Sprung in den Arbeitsuchendmeldungen von Frauen und ein geringer Anstieg in den Teilnahmen an arbeitsmarktpolitischen Maßnahmen. Dieses Muster ist vor allem auf westdeutsche Frauen zurückzuführen, den bei ostdeutschen Frauen nehmen sowohl die Arbeitsuchendmeldungen als auch die Beschäftigungsquote bereits nach dem ersten Geburtstag des Kindes sprunghaft zu. Die Erwerbsverläufe von Vätern scheinen hingegen kaum von der Geburt ihres Kindes beeinflusst zu werden, sie sind durchgehend häufiger in Beschäftigung bzw. arbeitsuchend gemeldet als Frauen. Auch nach dem dritten Geburtstag des Kindes zeigen sich allenfalls geringe Veränderungen in den Erwerbsverläufen der Väter. Mütter werden im Beobachtungszeitraum dieser Studie in den ersten drei Lebensjahren ihres Kindes insgesamt nur sehr eingeschränkt aktiviert. Sowohl die durchschnittliche Anzahl der Betreuungstermine je Jobcenter als auch der Anteil an Frauen in arbeitsmarktpolitischen Maßnahmen sind deutlich geringer als die entsprechenden Zahlen für Väter. Jedoch zeigen sich für Mütter auch bei der Aktivierungsintensität wesentliche Unterschiede zwischen ost- und westdeutschen Jobcentern. Mütter in ostdeutschen Jobcentern nehmen bereits nach dem ersten Geburtstag ihres Kindes zunehmend Betreuungstermine wahr und an Maßnahmen teil, während sich bei Müttern in westdeutschen Jobcentern vor allem nach dem dritten Geburtstag des Kindes eine Zunahme der Aktivierungsintensität zeigt. Rund vier Jahre nach der Geburt ihres Kindes sind etwas weniger als 20 Prozent der westdeutschen Mütter sozialversicherungspflichtig beschäftigt, aber rund 28 Prozent der ostdeutschen Mütter. Kausale Effekte frühzeitiger Aktivierung auf die Erwerbschancen der Eltern lassen sich mit den vorliegenden Daten jedoch nicht bestimmen, unter anderem weil sich die Teilnehmenden an frühzeitigen Aktivierungsmaßnahmen von denjenigen unterscheiden, die nicht teilnehmen. Im Rahmen eines Feldexperiments ließe sich für derartige (Selbst-)Selektionen kontrollieren, da die Zielgruppe zufällig einer Interventions- und Kontrollgruppe zugeordnet werden könnte. Aufgrund der Zufallszuordnung könnten spätere Unterschiede in den Arbeitsmarktergebnissen zwischen beiden Gruppen als kausale Effekte der Intervention (z.B. eine intensivere Frühaktivierung) interpretiert werden." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Bacher, Johann, Martina Beham-Rabanser & Thomas Lankmayer (Hrsg.) (2023): Geschlechterunterschiede beim beruflichen Wiedereinstieg. Wiesbaden: Springer, 247 S. DOI:10.1007/978-3-658-38040-3

Abstract

"Der österreichische Arbeitsmarkt ist durch eine starke Geschlechtersegregation geprägt, die sich dadurch charakterisiert, dass Frauen andere, häufig schlechter bezahlte Berufe ausüben als Männer und in hohem Ausmaß Teilzeit arbeiten, wenn sie Kinder haben, mit der Folge, dass sie weniger verdienen und auch geringere Pensionen beziehen werden. Diese Geschlechterunterschiede sind in der einschlägigen Literatur vielfach beleuchtet und zeigen Benachteiligungen von Frauen gegenüber Männern am Arbeitsmarkt auf. Demgegenüber lässt sich für den österreichischen Arbeitsmarkt eine höhere Arbeitslosigkeit der Männer gegenüber den Frauen beobachten. Forschungsbefunde deuten zudem darauf hin, dass Frauen ein beruflicher Wiedereinstieg leichter gelingt als Männern. Obwohl diese Geschlechterunterschiede in vielen Evaluierungen der aktiven Arbeitsmarktpolitik für Österreich gefunden wurden, wurden sie bisher nicht systematisch untersucht. Dementsprechend fehlen auch (empirisch gesicherte) Erklärungsansätze. An diese Forschungslücke knüpft die vorliegende Publikation an. Sie basiert auf einem breit angelegten Forschungsprojekt und verfolgt das Ziel, Geschlechterunterschiede beim beruflichen Wiedereinstieg systematisch zu beleuchten und Erklärungsansätze für diese empirisch zu prüfen." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

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Bergemann, Annette & Regina T. Riphahn (2023): Maternal employment effects of paid parental leave. In: Journal of Population Economics, Jg. 36, H. 1, S. 139-178. DOI:10.1007/s00148-021-00878-7

Abstract

"We study the short-, medium-, and long-run employment effects of a substantial change in Germany's parental leave benefit program. In 2007, a means-tested parental leave transfer program that paid benefits for up to 2 years was replaced with an earnings-related transfer that paid benefits for up to 1 year. The reform changed the regulation for prior benefit recipients and added benefits for those who were not eligible before. Although long-run labor force participation did not change substantially—the reform sped up mothers' labor market return after their benefits expired. Likely pathways for this substantial reform effect are changes in social norms and in mothers' preferences for economic independence." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

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Frodermann, Corinna, Andreas Filser & Ann-Christin Bächmann (2023): Elternzeiten von verheirateten Paaren: Mütter kehren meist schneller auf den Arbeitsmarkt zurück, wenn ihre Partner Elternzeit nehmen. (IAB-Kurzbericht 1/2023), Nürnberg, 8 S. DOI:10.48720/IAB.KB.2301

Abstract

"Seit der Einführung des Elterngeldes im Jahr 2007 steigt der Anteil von Vätern, die nach der Geburt eines Kindes ihre Erwerbstätigkeit unterbrechen. Dieses stärkere Engagement der Väter geht auch mit einer schnelleren Arbeitsmarktrückkehr von Müttern einher. Paarinterne Aufteilungsmuster zeigen allerdings, dass bei vielen Ehepaaren nach wie vor nur die Mutter ihre Erwerbstätigkeit unterbricht, während der Großteil der Väter keine Elternzeit nimmt. Wenn Väter ebenfalls unterbrechen, dann vorrangig für maximal zwei Monate. Die vorgelegten Befunde machen insgesamt deutlich, dass verheiratete Paare in Deutschland nach wie vor weit davon entfernt sind, Sorge- und Erwerbsarbeit gleich aufzuteilen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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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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Juncke, David & Axel Plünnecke (2023): Das Elterngeld: Ziele, Wirkungen und Perspektiven. (Policy paper / Prognos AG), Berlin, 8 S.

Abstract

"Wie wirkt sich das Elterngeld auf die Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf aus? Wie auf das Arbeitskräfteangebot und wo kann es weiterentwickelt werden? Diesen Fragen widmeten sich Prognos und das Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW) in ihrem gemeinsamen Papier „Das Elterngeld: Ziele, Wirkungen und Perspektiven“. Es zeigt: Mit dem Elterngeld gehen eine steigende Müttererwerbstätigkeit und eine vermehrte Beteiligung der Väter an der Kinderbetreuung einher. Reformen des Elterngeldes sollten auf dessen Weiterentwicklung ausgerichtet werden." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Keitel, Christiane; Andreas Filser, Ann-Christin Bächmann & Corinna Frodermann (interviewte Person) (2023): Die Aufteilung von Care- und Erwerbsarbeit ist eine Richtungsentscheidung für die Erwerbsverläufe beider Eltern (Interview mit Andreas Filser, Corinna Frodermann und Ann-Christin Bächmann). In: IAB-Forum H. 07.02.2023 Nürnberg. DOI:10.48720/IAB.FOO.20230207.01

Abstract

"Seit der Einführung des Elterngeldes im Jahr 2007 steigt der Anteil von Vätern, die nach der Geburt eines Kindes ihre Erwerbstätigkeit zugunsten von Kinder­betreuung unterbrechen. Der IAB-Kurzbericht 1/2023 zeigt nun unter anderem auf, wie sich eine Erwerbsunterbrechung der Väter auf die Arbeitsmarktrückkehr der Mütter auswirkt. Die Redaktion des IAB-Forum hat dazu bei Corinna Frodermann, Ann-Christin Bächmann und Andreas Filser nachgefragt." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Kühn, Mine, Christian Dudel & Martin Werding (2023): Maternal health, well-being, and employment transitions. A longitudinal comparison of partnered and single mothers in Germany. In: Social science research, Jg. 114. DOI:10.1016/j.ssresearch.2023.102906

Abstract

"Balancing parenthood and employment can be challenging and distressing, particularly for single mothers. At the same time, transitioning to employment can improve the financial situations of single mothers and provide them with access to social networks, which can have beneficial effects on their health and well-being. Currently, however, it is not well understood whether the overall impact of employment on single mothers is positive or negative, and to what extent it differs from the impact of employment on partnered mothers. Building on the literature on work-family conflict, we investigate the differential effects of employment transitions on the health and well-being of single mothers and partnered mothers. Using longitudinal data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (1992–2016), we apply panel regression techniques that address the potential endogeneity of maternal employment, as well as the dynamic nature of the relationship between employment transitions and maternal health and well-being. We find that employment has a positive impact on single mothers, and that single mothers benefit from employment significantly more than partnered mothers. Surprisingly, income does not appear to be an important driver of these results. Overall, our findings suggest that employment plays a key role in the well-being of single mothers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2023 Elsevier) ((en))

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Paek, Eunjeong (2023): Does Overwork Attenuate the Motherhood Earnings Penalty among Full-Time Workers? In: Work, Employment and Society, Jg. 37, H. 1, S. 78-96. DOI:10.1177/09500170211041293

Abstract

"This study examines whether working long hours alters the motherhood earnings penalty in the context of the United States. The author uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1979–2014) to model the annual earnings penalty mothers incur per child in the United States. The results support that working long hours (50+ hours per week) reduces the negative effect of motherhood on earnings for white women. Once we control for human capital and labour supply, however, there is no difference in the effect of children on earnings between full-time workers and over workers. For Black full-time workers and over workers, having an additional child has little effect on earnings. The findings suggest that although overwork appears to attenuate the earnings penalty for white mothers, white mothers who work long hours exhibit a smaller penalty because they already have high levels of human capital and supply a great amount of labour." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Philippe, Arnaud & Daphné Skandalis (2023): Motherhood and the Cost of Job Search. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 16669), Bonn, 43 S.

Abstract

"Why do women experience a persistent drop in labor earnings upon becoming mothers, i.e. a "child penalty"? We study a new mechanism: search frictions. We analyze data on job applications sent on a popular online platform linked with administrative data for 350,000 involuntarily unemployed workers in France. First, we highlight differences in job search behavior between mothers and similar women with no children. Mothers send 12.2% fewer job applications and are more selective regarding wage and non-wage amenities. Consistently, they have a lower job finding rate. Second, we analyze the exact time when applications are sent and highlight differences in the timing of job search. We find that mothers' rate of applications decreases by 20.3% in the hours and days when there is no school. We also show that mothers responded to a reform that introduced school on Wednesday by smoothing their search across weekdays and narrowing their search timing gap with other women. In a simple search model, we show that our results imply that mothers both face lower incentives and higher costs to search. We conclude that search frictions disproportionately prevent mothers from improving their labor market situation and contribute to the child penalty." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Ahrens, Regina (2022): Familien- und Vereinbarkeitspolitik in Deutschland. Eine Einführung. (Elemente der Politik), Wiesbaden: Imprint: Springer VS, XIX, 199 S. DOI:10.1007/978-3-658-37149-4

Abstract

"Dieses Lehrbuch gibt einen fundierten Einblick in das Politikfeld Familienpolitik. Es zeichnet die historischen Entwicklungen in Deutschland nach und zeigt politikfeldanalytische Erklärungen auf. Das Lehrbuch ermöglicht damit auch ein Verständnis der aktuellen familienpolitischen Diskurse. Es richtet sich vornehmlich an Studierende im Bachelor und Master, aber auch an Praktikerinnen und Praktiker, die sich aufgrund von neuen beruflichen Aufgaben in die Grundzüge der Familienpolitik in Deutschland einlesen möchten. Das Buch enthält ergänzendes Online-Material. Die Autorin Dr. Regina Ahrens ist Politikwissenschaftlerin und vertritt an der Hochschule Hamm-Lippstadt die Professur „Betriebswirtschaftslehre mit Schwerpunkt Personal und Marketing“. Daneben ist sie Lehrbeauftragte am Institut für Politikwissenschaft der Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität Münster und berät Unternehmen und Privatpersonen zum Thema Vereinbarkeit von Beruf und Familie." (Verlagsangaben)

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Burns, Elaine, Susanne Gannon, Heather Pierce & Sky Hugman (2022): Corporeal generosity: Breastfeeding bodies and female-dominated workplaces. In: Gender, work & organization, Jg. 29, H. 3, S. 778-799. DOI:10.1111/gwao.12821

Abstract

"While gender equality at work and the gendered parameters of workplace conditions are of interest to feminist researchers, this paper brings together sociological and public health perspectives to interrogate factors impacting women who return to work (RTW) while maintaining breastfeeding. Our inquiry is focused on female-dominated professions, teaching, nursing, and midwifery, and our findings suggest that breastfeeding obstacles exist even when gender-inclusive policies appear to support women. Workplaces generate both overt and subtle barriers to breastfeeding, which force many women to stop earlier than they intended or create ongoing worry about maintaining breastmilk supply. Interviews with participants who maintained breastfeeding after RTW generated three overarching themes: women's determination to get back into the workforce, not wanting to “rock the boat”, and the difficulty in keeping their “head above water”. Despite workplace policies that appeared to support breastfeeding, the workplace catered to a supposedly gender-neutral worker and policies did not translate into practice. Given the many sacrifices that women make to maintain breastfeeding, the level of workplace apathy was surprising, especially in female dominated professions. Our research foregrounds breastfeeding corporeality, not as excess but as an inevitable and essential feature of workplaces, which needs to be acknowledged and accommodated." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

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Comolli, Chiara Ludovica, Laura Bernardi & Marieke Voorpostel (2022): Der Einfluss von Familien- und Berufsverläufen auf das Wohlbefinden von Frauen und Männern in der Schweiz. (Social Change in Switzerland 29), Lausanne, 15 S. DOI:10.22019/SC-2022-00002

Abstract

"Die familiären und beruflichen Lebensverläufe in der Schweiz sind von einer immer grösseren Vielfalt geprägt, geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede bleiben jedoch bestehen. Basierend auf den Daten des Schweizer Haushalt-Panels (SHP) kehren Frauen der Jahrgänge 1952 bis 1966 nach dem Übergang zur Elternschaft meistens in Teilzeit an den Arbeitsmarkt zurück, wobei ihre Lebenszufriedenheit verglichen mit anderen Lebensverläufen geringer ausfällt. Eine Minderheit der Frauen ist durchgehend in Vollzeit beschäftigt und verfolgt eine traditionelle familiäre Laufbahn – feste eheliche Beziehung mit Kindern. Diese Gruppe geniesst nach dem Erreichen des 50. Lebensjahrs ein höheres subjektives und finanzielles Wohlbefinden. Die beruflichen Laufbahnen von Männern unterliegen deutlich weniger Variationen als jene der Frauen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Corekcioglu, Gozde, Marco Francesconi & Astrid Kunze (2022): Expansions in Paid Parental Leave and Mothers' Economic Progress. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 15585), Bonn, 89 S.

Abstract

"We examine the impact of government-funded universal paid parental leave extensions on the likelihood that mothers reach top-pay jobs and executive positions, using eight Norwegian reforms. Up to a quarter of a century after childbirth, such reforms neither helped nor hurt mothers' chances to be at the top of their companies' pay ranking or in leadership positions. We detect no differential effect across many characteristics, and no impact on other outcomes, such as hours worked and promotions. No reform affected fathers' pay or the gender pay gaps between mothers and their male colleagues and between mothers and their partners." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Danzer, Natalia, Martin Halla, Nicole Schneeweis & Martina Zweimüller (2022): Parental leave, (in)formal childcare and long-term child outcomes. In: The Journal of Human Resources, Jg. 57, H. 6, S. 1826-1884. DOI:10.3368/jhr.58.2.0619-10257R1

Abstract

"We evaluate the effect of an Austrian parental leave extension from the child’s first to its second birthday on long-term child outcomes. Exploiting a sharp birthday cutoff-based discontinuity in the eligibility for extended leave, we find that longer parental leave improves on average child health outcomes, but has no effect on the child’s labor market outcomes. When accounting for the counterfactual mode of care, we find significant gains in all outcomes for children for whom the reform most likely induced a replacement of informal childcare with maternal care. This highlights the importance of the counterfactual scenario in such evaluations." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System) ((en))

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Doerr, Annabelle (2022): Vocational Training for Female Job Returners - Effects on Employment, Earnings and Job Quality. (WWZ discussion papers 2022,02), Basel, 44 S.

Abstract

"This paper studies how training vouchers increase the employment prospects of women with interrupted employment histories. Using the population of female job returners who receive a training voucher to participate in training programs and a randomly selected control group from German administrative data, I analyze the effectiveness of training on various labor market outcomes. The results suggest that receiving a training voucher translates into substantial gains in employment and earnings and increases job quality and stability. Analyzing the heterogeneity effects reveals that the effectiveness of training increases with the provided human capital. Several robustness checks support a causal interpretation of the results." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Doerr, Annabelle (2022): Vocational Training for Female Job Returners - Effects on Employment, Earnings and Job Quality. In: Labour Economics, Jg. 75. DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2022.102139

Abstract

"This paper studies how training vouchers increase the employment prospects of women with interrupted employment histories. Using the population of female job returners who receive a training voucher to participate in training programs and a randomly selected control group from German administrative data, I analyze the effectiveness of training on various labor market outcomes. The analysis reveals that the receipt of a training voucher translates into substantial gains in employment and earnings. It reduces the gap between pre- and post-interruption earnings by as much as 77%. Moreover, training vouchers improve job quality, and increases job stability. Low skilled women benefit most." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2022 Elsevier) ((en))

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Duval, Romain, Yi Ji, Longji Li, Myrto Oikonomou, Carlo Pizzinelli, Ippei Shibata, Alessandra Sozzi & Marina M. Tavares (2022): Labor Market Tightness in Advanced Economies. (IMF staff discussion note 2022,001), Washington, DC, 43 S.

Abstract

"Two years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a puzzle has emerged in several advanced economies: unfilled job vacancies have increased sharply even though employment has yet to fully recover. This note sheds light on three contributing factors, namely barriers to returning to work, changing worker preferences away from certain types of jobs, and sectoral and occupational job mismatch. The note also assesses the impact of labor market tightness on wage growth, showing that it has been large for low-pay jobs but milder overall. Bringing disadvantaged groups of workers into the labor force, including by controlling the pandemic itself, would ease labor market pressures while amplifying the recovery and making it more inclusive." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Díaz, Martina Yopo (2022): Making it work: How women negotiate labor market participation after the transition to motherhood. In: Advances in life course research, Jg. 53. DOI:10.1016/j.alcr.2022.100500

Abstract

"The increasing participation of women in the labor market coexists with traditional gender roles and a social division of labor that reproduces the feminization of childcare and housework. Reconciling the contradictions between work and family life has become one of the greatest challenges of the contemporary female life course. In this article, I analyze the strategies through which women in Santiago de Chile negotiate their participation in the labor market after the transition to motherhood using qualitative data produced through 28 in-depth life story interviews. The findings confirm that married women from older age cohorts and middle socioeconomic status scale down paid work by working part-time, reducing their working hours, and finding more flexible and less demanding jobs that are closer to home. However, the findings also reveal that single women from younger age cohorts and lower socioeconomic status scale up on paid work by working full-time and finding jobs that are more demanding, involve longer workdays and provide better salaries and social benefits. These findings advance knowledge on the strategies through which women from different age cohorts and family and socioeconomic status negotiate paid work after becoming mothers and highlight the importance of taking a situated and intersectional approach to account for the particular ways in which women reconcile work and family life." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2022 Elsevier) ((en))

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Fendel, Tanja & Beate Jochimsen (2022): Home care allowance and labor market participation of immigrant and native-born mothers. In: SN Social Sciences, Jg. 2, 2022-04-26. DOI:10.1007/s43545-022-00393-w

Abstract

"Most countries still have a significant gender gap in labor force participation, and this gap is especially large for immigrants. Despite this gap, Germany introduced various forms of home care allowances in the last decade. Parallel to the extension of early child care and the inclusion of a legal claim for it, from 2013 to 2015, a nationwide home care allowance existed for parents who did not use public child care for children aged one or two years. After 2015, home care allowances continued to exist in several German federal states. Some politicians strongly criticized this transfer for allegedly decreasing work incentives, particularly for mothers with lower labor market integration, such as immigrant mothers. Using federal state differentiated data obtained from the German Socio-Economic Panel, we investigate the impact of a home care allowance on the labor market participation of mothers. For both native-born and especially immigrant mothers, the effects are significantly negative. We conclude that a home care allowance has negative effects on the labor force participation of mothers of young children, irrespective of the legal claim for and the extension of public child care." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Springer) ((en))

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Gumy, Julia M., Anke C. Plagnol & Agnieszka Piasna (2022): Job Satisfaction and Women's Timing of Return to Work after Childbirth in the UK. In: Work and occupations, Jg. 49, H. 3, S. 345-375. DOI:10.1177/07308884221087988

Abstract

"This article examines to what extent multiple facets of pre-childbirth job satisfaction affect women's labor market outcomes after first childbirth in the UK. Using the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) we find that higher levels of overall job satisfaction increase the probability of returning to work sooner, and to the same job, during the sample period. Satisfaction with job security, work hours and the work content - but not with pay – are important determinants of mothers’ employment choices. We discuss the role of job satisfaction on women's ability to combine work and family responsibilities, and related aspects of job quality." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Hansen, Benjamin, Joseph J. Sabia & Jessamyn Schaller (2022): Schools, Job Flexibility, and Married Women's Labor Supply: Evidence From the COVID-19 Pandemic. (NBER working paper 29660), Cambridge, Mass, 33 S. DOI:10.3386/w29660

Abstract

"This study explores the effect of school reopenings during the COVID-19 pandemic on married women's labor supply. We proxy for in-person attendance at US K-12 schools using smartphone data from Safegraph and measure female employment, hours, and remote work using the Current Population Survey. Difference-in-differences estimates show that K-12 reopenings are associated with significant increases in employment and hours among married women with school-aged children, with no measurable effects on labor supply in comparison groups. Employment effects of school reopenings are concentrated among mothers of older school-aged children, while remote work may mitigate effects for mothers of younger children." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Jungwirth, Ingrid & Marziyeh Bakhshizadeh (2022): Wiedereinstieg mit Hindernissen – die Teilhabe von Frauen* mit Behinderung oder chronischer Erkrankung an Arbeit. In: Gender, Jg. 14, H. 2, S. 118-133. DOI:10.3224/gender.v14i2.09

Abstract

"Dieser Beitrag untersucht den Wiedereinstieg von Frauen* mit Behinderung oder chronischer Erkrankung nach einer Unterbrechung als zentralen Übergang in der beruflichen Laufbahn in Zusammenhang mit dem gesamten Berufs- und Lebensverlauf. Die weit unterdurchschnittliche Teilhabe von Frauen* mit Behinderung an Erwerbsarbeit weist auf die Relevanz weitergehender Erkenntnisse hin. Wir verbinden das soziale Modell von Behinderung aus den Disability Studies mit einem geschlechtersoziologischen Ansatz der Soziologie des Lebenslaufs. Mit einem erweiterten Begriff von Arbeit, der Care-Arbeit und Arbeit, die mit einer Behinderung erforderlich wird, einbezieht, analysieren wir, wie sich Familienzyklus und Behinderungszyklus auf die berufliche Laufbahn auswirken. Mit diesem erweiterten Arbeitsbegriff können wir in der Pilotstudie auf der Grundlage von qualitativen Expert*inneninterviews in Beratungsstellen in einer ländlichen Region zeigen, dass u. a. fehlende Kapazitäten und Ressourcen sowie kumulative Benachteiligungen aufgrund von Geschlecht und Behinderung zu Berufsunterbrechungen bei Frauen* mit Behinderung führten. Weitere Forschung zu den Erfahrungen von Frauen* mit Behinderung selbst sollte sich Bildungsungleichheiten sowie Differenzen aufgrund von Behinderung und Alter widmen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Waights, Sevrin (2022): Parental Leave Benefits and Child Penalties. (DIW-Diskussionspapiere 2016), Berlin, 45 S.

Abstract

"I use the universe of tax returns in Germany and a regression kink design to estimate the impact of the benefit amount available to high-earning women after their first childbirth on subsequent within-couple earnings inequality. Lower benefit amounts result in a reduced earnings gap that persists beyond the benefit period for at least nine years after the birth. The longer-term impacts are driven by couples where the mother earned more than the father pre-birth. Simulations suggest it would take a 50% reduction in the benefit amount to completely eliminate long-run child penalties for sample couples. Lower benefits also reduce take-up of paid leave by mothers, lower the chances of having further children, and have no impact on marital stability." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Brandt, Gesche, Kolja Briedis & Ulrike Schwabe (2021): Promovieren mit Kind: Welche Rolle spielen Promotionskontexte für eine erfolgreiche Vereinbarkeit von familialen und beruflichen Anforderungen in der Promotionsphase? In: Beiträge zur Hochschulforschung, Jg. 43, H. 3, S. 1-30.

Abstract

"Vor dem Hintergrund der Etablierung von Personalentwicklungsstrategien an Hochschulen ist die Vereinbarkeit von Privat- und Erwerbsleben in den vergangenen Jahren ein wichtiges Thema im Berufsfeld Wissenschaft geworden. Mit Daten der National Academics Panel Study werden erstmals die Bedingungen für Elternschaft während der Promotionsphase in verschiedenen Promotionskontexten in den Blick genommen. Im Zentrum der Analysen steht ein schrittweises Regressionsmodell zu den Determinanten der Zufriedenheit mit der Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Arbeit promovierender Eltern. Diese ist bei Müttern geringer als bei Vätern und variiert sowohl zwischen Promotionsfächern als auch -formen. Eine als gut eingeschätzte Promotionsbetreuung in Form von Betreuungsstabilität und emotionaler Unterstützung erweist sich als besonders bedeutsam. Die Analysen zeigen somit Handlungsspielräume auf, in denen hochschulische Maßnahmen zur Förderung von Familienfreundlichkeit verortet werden können." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Buchler, Sandra & Katharina Lutz (2021): Fathers' Job Flexibility and Mothers' Return to Employment. In: European Sociological Review, Jg. 37, S. 659-672. DOI:10.1093/esr/jcab009

Abstract

"One of the main drivers of gender inequality is the unequal distribution of paid work between men and women, in particular, after the birth of a child. In this study, we examine how a man’s employment flexibility, specifically his weekly hours of employment and schedule autonomy, influence his female partner’s return to employment after the birth of a first child using the German Socio-Economic Panel. Given women’s placement as primary but not solitary carers of young children, it is plausible that women’s attachment to the labour force will increase if their male partner is in a position to take on more of the responsibility for unpaid work. Results indicate that a father’s employment flexibility facilities a mother’s part-time employment. A return to full-time hours, however, is less contingent on the father’s employment circumstances or other external factors. The findings highlight the importance of employing couple-level analyses in examinations of the gender division of labour." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Lucifora, Claudio, Dominique Meurs & Elena Villar (2021): The “mommy track” in the workplace. Evidence from a large French firm. In: Labour Economics, Jg. 72. DOI:10.1016/j.labeco.2021.102035

Abstract

"We study the earnings and career profiles of employees who experience the birth of the first child, as compared to their childless co-workers. Using a difference-in-differences approach and a unique 12-year panel of personnel records from a large French company, we find that the arrival of a child creates a persistent penalty in earnings for mothers. The gap in internal promotions, both at the extensive and intensive margin, accounts for the vast majority of the motherhood penalty within the firm. We believe that firm-level policies on child-related leaves, if not gender-neutral, can exacerbate the motherhood penalty." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2021 Elsevier) ((en))

Zitatform

Rabaté, Simon & Sara Rellstab (2021): The Child Penalty in the Netherlands and its Determinants. (CPB discussion paper / CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis 424), The Hague, 46 S. DOI:10.34932/trkz-qh66

Abstract

"Having children can result in large earnings penalties for mothers. Using extensive administrative data from the Netherlands, we assess the magnitude and drivers of the effects of first childbirth on parents' earnings trajectories in the Netherlands. We show that mothers' earnings are 46% lower compared to their pre-birth earnings trajectory, whereas fathers' earnings are unaffected by child birth. We examine the role of two potential determinants of the unequal distribution of parents' labour market costs by gender: childcare policies and gender norms. We find that while child care availability is correlated with lower child penalty, the immediate short-term causal effect of increasing child care availability on the earnings penalty of becoming a mother is small. By taking advantage of variation in gender norms in different population groups, we show that gender norms are strongly correlated with child penalty for mothers. Having children can result in large earnings penalties for mothers. Using extensive administrative data from the Netherlands, we assess the magnitude and drivers of the effects of first childbirth on parents' earnings trajectories in the Netherlands. We show that mothers' earnings are 46% lower compared to their pre-birth earnings trajectory, whereas fathers' earnings are unaffected by child birth. We examine the role of two potential determinants of the unequal distribution of parents' labour market costs by gender: childcare policies and gender norms. We find that while child care availability is correlated with lower child penalty, the immediate short-term causal effect of increasing child care availability on the earnings penalty of becoming a mother is small. By taking advantage of variation in gender norms in different population groups, we show that gender norms are strongly correlated with child penalty for mothers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Abstract

Der Expertisenband versammelt die Expertisen für den neunten Familienbericht "Eltern sein in Deutschland - Ansprüche, Anforderungen und Angebote bei wachsender Vielfalt". Wie auch bei vorangegangenen Berichten war der Entstehungsprozess des Berichts nicht nur von intensiven kommissionsinternen Diskussionen geprägt, es wurde auch auf Fachkenntnisse externer Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler zurückgegriffen. Die Kommission hat beschlossen, die Expertisen als Online-Publikation einer breiten Öffentlichkeit zugänglich zu machen. (IAB-Doku)