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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Herzberg-Druker, Efrat (2025): Couples' division of paid work and rising income inequality: A study of 21 OECD countries. In: Research in Social Stratification and Mobility, Jg. 99. DOI:10.1016/j.rssm.2025.101084

Abstract

"Numerous scholars have explored the association between women's changing employment patterns and the changing income inequality in recent decades. While most studies indicate that increased women's employment reduces household inequality, a few suggest the opposite effect. This research investigated whether shifts in the division of paid work (i.e., changes in the working hours) among heterosexual couples, as compared to changes in women's work alone, contribute to changes in income inequality. It also examined whether the selection of couples into the different types of division of paid work based on their level of education is a mechanism underlying the growing inequality. Based on counterfactual analyses of data from the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS), encompassing 21 OECD countries, the findings demonstrate shifts in couples' division of paid work, particularly the increase in fulltime dual-earner households, are associated with rising income inequality in most countries studied. However, changes in educational attainment were not found to be the mechanism underlying the association between changes in couples' division of paid work and changes in income inequality." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.) ((en))

Zitatform

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

Hook, Jennifer L. & Meiying Li (2025): National Work-Family Policies and Gender Earnings Inequality in 26 OECD Countries, 1999 to 2019. In: Socius, Jg. 11, S. 1-21. DOI:10.1177/23780231251360042

Abstract

"The authors investigate whether work-family policies help incorporate women into the labor market, but exacerbate the gender earnings gap and motherhood penalty, especially for mothers and/or tertiary-educated women. The authors use repeated cross-sectional income data from the Luxembourg Income Study database (1999–2019) (n = 26 countries, 280 country-years, 2.9 million employees) combined with an original collection of indicators on work-family policies, labor market conditions, and gender norms. The authors find that only one work-family policy, long paid parental leave (longer than six months), is associated with a larger gender earnings gap for mothers and tertiary-educated women. The negative relationship between long paid leave and women’s earning percentile is not well explained by selection, full-time status, work hours, experience, occupation, or sector, suggesting discrimination mechanisms. These findings add to the growing evidence that long paid leave specifically, as opposed to work-family policies more generally, cleaves the labor market outcomes of women from men." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Höpfner, Elena (2025): Wie Mütter für den Arbeitsmarkt verfügbar gemacht werden sollen. Vorgaben zur frühzeitigen Aktivierung von Erziehenden kleiner Kinder unter drei Jahren in der Grundsicherung. In: Zeitschrift für Sozialreform, Jg. 71, H. 1, S. 63-86., 2025-01-08. DOI:10.1515/zsr-2024-0024

Abstract

"Erziehende im Bürgergeldbezug können bis zum dritten Lebensjahr des Kindes die Forderungen, arbeiten zu müssen oder sich darauf z. B. durch Maßnahmen vorzubereiten, verneinen. Auf diesen Ausnahmetatbestand von der Pflicht zur Erwerbsarbeit – verankert im § 10 im Zweiten Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB II) – berufen sich fast ausschließlich Mütter. Diese Zeitspanne der ersten drei Lebensjahre des Kindes soll jedoch zukünftig an allen Jobcentern – so untergesetzliche Weisungen seit 2021 – intensiver als bisher dafür genutzt werden, vorhandene „Erwerbspotenziale“ der Mütter zu erkennen und ihre „Arbeitsmarktintegration vorzubereiten“. Im Rahmen dieses Beitrags bin ich der Frage nachgegangen, wie diese Bemühungen um „frühzeitige Aktivierung“ in einer Änderung der administrativen Vorgaben institutionalisiert werden. Wie sollen Mütter kleiner Kinder in der Grundsicherung zukünftig für den Arbeitsmarkt verfügbar gemacht werden und unter welchen Bedingungen kann ihnen Erwerbsarbeit zugemutet werden? Ziel des vorliegenden Beitrags ist eine Analyse dieser arbeitsmarkt- und sozialpolitisch motivierten Änderungen. Diese erfolgt mittels einer historischen Einordnung sowie einer Dokumentenanalyse der Vorgaben – die sich als Prozess der Verfügbarmachung in fünf Dimensionen aufschlüsseln und als ein Rekommodifizierungsversuch einer bisher im Wohlfahrtsstaat geschützten Lebensphase deuten lassen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku, © De Gruyter)

Zitatform

Jalovaara, Marika, Leen Rahnu & Anneli Miettinen (2025): Employment status and entry into parenthood: Weaker labor market status an unlikely driver of cohort fertility decline in a Nordic welfare state. In: Acta sociologica, S. 1-18. DOI:10.1177/00016993251403380

Abstract

"Previous studies in the Nordic context have found a positive association between stronger labor market attachment and entry into parenthood (i.e. first birth), with the association being stronger for men than women and influenced by educational attainment and life-course stage. Using total population register data and event history methods, this study asks whether and how the relationship between employment status and entry into parenthood has changed for women and men born in Finland in the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s. We first examine how the employment situations in which women and men make decisions about entering parenthood have changed across cohorts. Our results indicate that episodes of unemployment have not increased across cohorts of women and men who are (still) childless. At the same time, young adults are increasingly combining studies and paid employment. Stable employment promotes entry into parenthood for both men and women, although the association remains stronger for men. Sufficient economic resources to start a family may have become even more important in recent cohorts, as the negative association between longer-term unemployment and transition to parenthood appears to have intensified. We also observe a cohort trend toward delayed or foregone entry into parenthood occurring regardless of labor market status. To conclude, although weak labor market status is associated with lower first-birth rates, it is unlikely to be a major driver of the cohort fertility decline, as we observe no deterioration in young adults’ labor market status and only modest changes in its association with entry into parenthood." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Joecks, Jasmin, Anna Kurowska, Kerstin Pull & Pia Schober (2025): Multidimensional gender ideologies: How do they relate to work-family arrangements of mothers with dependent children in Poland and western Germany? In: International Journal of Comparative Sociology, Jg. 66, H. 4, S. 633-659. DOI:10.1177/00207152241293463

Abstract

"This study uses a multidimensional approach to identify gender ideologies and investigate their association with work-family arrangements among mothers of dependent children in Poland and western Germany. Based on data from the Generations and Gender Survey, we apply ordinal latent class analysis and identify five gender ideology classes: (1) traditional, (2) intensive parenting, (3) ambivalent, (4) moderately egalitarian, and (5) strongly egalitarian. In both countries, we find that the intensive parenting class resembles the traditional class in terms of lower maternal employment, a more gendered division of housework and childcare, and a smaller probability of using formal childcare, whereas the ambivalent respondents mostly practice work-care arrangements that are similar to the moderately egalitarian class. With respect to informal care, mothers who identify with strong egalitarianism significantly differ from the traditional class in western Germany, but they do not in Poland—thus highlighting the role of the cultural and institutional context in explaining the complex links between mothers’ gender ideologies and work-family arrangements." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Kala, Namrata & Madeline McKelway (2025): The Power of Persuasion: Causal Effects of Household Communication on Women's Employment. (NBER working paper / National Bureau of Economic Research 33747), Cambridge, Mass, 68 S.

Abstract

"In many economic settings, agents lack decision rights but provide input. Intra-household decision-making in contexts with restrictive gender norms is one important example; wives often lack final say over decisions but still give input. Their ability to communicate persuasively while providing input could sway decisions in their favor. We conduct a field experiment in rural India to test whether an effective communication training among married women impacts their labor supply, the most common topic of intra-household disagreement in the sample. The treatment shifted women's communication styles towards the techniques taught in the training. We find positive effects on labor supply and earnings but, consistent with theory, only for women who at baseline were more interested than their husbands in the women working. These effects persist to at least one year following the treatment, leading to a nearly 60% increase in earnings over this period. Mechanisms analyses suggest the changes in labor supply are not due to shifts in bargaining power but rather come from women changing their husbands' preferences about female employment." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((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

Kröner, Lea, Deni Mazrekaj, Tanja van der Lippe & Anne‐Rigt Poortman (2025): Profiles Among Women Without a Paid Job and Social Benefits: An Intersectional Perspective Using Dutch Population Register Data. In: Social Policy and Administration, Jg. 59, H. 5, S. 717-728. DOI:10.1111/spol.13080

Abstract

"Despite their potential vulnerability and untapped work potential, research on the group of women without a paid job and social benefits is limited. This study is the first to identify profiles among women in this group based on their intersecting economic, sociodemographic and contextual characteristics. A cluster analysis conducted on Dutch population register data from 2019 challenges previous research that lumped women without a paid job and social benefits into a single group. Rather, we reveal three distinct profiles: ‘Dutch empty nesters (i.e., mothers with adult children) in affluent households’, ‘Migrant women in urban living areas’ and ‘Dutch, educated mothers with affluent partners’. The identification of these three profiles can mark a significant step in developing tailored active labour market policies for women without a paid job and social benefits." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons) ((en))

Zitatform

Labbas, Elisa & Maria Stanfors (2025): Unpaid Care for Elderly Parents and Labor Supply Among Older Working-Age Men and Women Across Europe. In: Feminist economics, Jg. 31, H. 3, S. 72-98. DOI:10.1080/13545701.2025.2530081

Abstract

"With population aging, more adults across Europe face competing demands of working for pay and caring for elderly family members. Associated tradeoffs are expected to be negative, gendered, and vary across contexts with different levels of gender equality, public support for eldercare, and work-family balance. Using SHARE data from 2004–20, thisstudy investigates how unpaid caregiving to independently living parents relates to labor supply among mature working-age (50–64) men and women across Europe. Results find limited tradeoffs between unpaid caregiving and labor supply, even where public support for eldercare is low. Caregiving associates with men’s and women’s employment and full-time work in similar ways. Gender differences nevertheless exist in both paid work and caregiving across Europe, especially in Continental and Southern Europe. These differences are established before midlife and build up across the life course and should be addressed when designing policies for longer working lives in Europe." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((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

Rausch, Johannes (2025): Women and Part-Time Workers: Saviors of Social Insurance Systems? (MEA discussion papers / Munich Center for the Economics of Aging 2025,10), München, 25 S.

Abstract

"This study assesses the fiscal effects of mobilizing underutilized labor market potential of women and part-time workers on pay-as-you-go social insurance systems in times of demographic aging. Aging implies a decreasing working-age population relative to the number of beneficiaries of social insurance, especially pensions, healthcare and long-term care. Hence, increasing labor force participation of women and hours of labor supply by part-timers in countries, where female labor force participation is low and part-time employment high are obvious candidates to compensate for this loss. This paper shows that matters are not that simple. Beneficial effects on the contribution rate to social insurance are different between adding workers and adding hours and depend on the link between wages and benefits. The study uses Germany as an example. It shows that increasing female labor force participation has only a modest impact, as the gender gap in participation rates has largely closed. Even between extreme scenarios, the difference in contribution rates across all insurance schemes would not exceed one percentage point. Reducing Germany’s high share of part-time employment has greater potential to relieve financial pressures, but primarily in health and long-term care insurance. If part-time work in Germany were lowered to the Swedish level, the combined contribution rate for these schemes would rise by about 1.2 percentage points less, assuming no adverse effects on health or informal care. In contrast, the pension contribution rate remains largely unaffected. That is because the shift from part-time to full-time work raises annual earnings and therefore overall wage growth, which under Germany’s pension adjustment mechanism translates almost one-to-one into higher pension benefits. The gains from additional labor therefore primarily accrue to pension recipients rather than reducing the financial burden on all contributors." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Sabanova, Inga (2025): Changing Working Lives: Women and Automation in the Labour Market. Scoping Review. Bonn, 21 S.

Abstract

"This paper takes a policy-oriented approach. It draws on evidence from peer-reviewed research, policy reports and ‘grey literature’ to examine the potential impact of automation on women’s participation in the labour market. This important topic has largely been overlooked in current policy debates. The paper analyses how the existing literature address the impact of automation, particularly at the intersection of gender and labour market dynamics, and in relation to structural and systemic barriers that sustain gender disparities. It also identifies emerging themes that policymakers should prioritise when considering the gendered dimensions of automation and their implications for the future of work. Based on a scoping review, the paper maps current research trends and highlights key limitations that require further attention from academic researchers. This will enhance our understanding of changing working conditions and inform policymaking. It focuses on four critical themes: workers’ adaptability within the framework of workplace automation; gender employment and wage gaps in relation to technological change; the relationship between automation technologies and occupational safety and health, with particular attention to how women may be subject to new risks; and the implications for an ageing workforce in the context of technological change." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Schaber, Ronja, Tirza Patella, Josefine Simm & Susan Garthus-Niegel (2025): German Parents Attaining Intrapersonal Work-Family Balance While Implementing the 50/50-Split-Model with Their Partners. In: Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Jg. 46, H. 1, S. 259-276. DOI:10.1007/s10834-024-09989-1

Abstract

"Work-family balance (WFB) is attained if parents combine work and family roles aligned with their values. For an egalitarian parent aiming to implement a 50/50-split-model, this means sharing paid work, childcare, and housework equally with their partner (involvement balance), performing well in all roles (effective balance), while having positive emotions (emotional balance). This is difficult since work and family are competing for time and attention. Therefore, this article presents resources which can help parents attain WFB within a 50/50-split-model. Quantitative data of n = 1036 couples participating in the Dresden Study on Parenting, Work, and Mental Health (DREAM) were used to calculate the implementation rate of the 50/50-split-model at 14 months postpartum. Quantitative DREAM data were screened to purposively select n = 25 participants implementing a 50/50-split-model for the qualitative study DREAM TALK . Problem-centered interviews were conducted and analyzed via qualitative content analysis. Quantitative results showed a 50/50-split-model implementation rate of 3.8–17.5% among German parents. Qualitative results revealed 14 individual- and eight macro-level resources to facilitate WFB within a 50/50-split-model. Individual-level examples are acknowledging benefits of childcare assistance, segmentation from paid work and controversially, in other situations, integration of paid work and family. Macro-level examples are availability of childcare assistance, of solo paternal leave, paid work < 39 h/week, employee flexibility options, and family-friendly workplace cultures. To conclude, the full potential of individual-level resources applied by parents is attained when supported by macro-level resources provided by politics and employers. Parents, politics, and employers can facilitate WFB within the 50/50-split-model to foster gender equality." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

Zitatform

Spijker, Jeroen J. A., Maike van Damme & Bruno Arpino (2025): The impact of providing intensive care and practical help in mid-life on employment transitions in Europe. In: European Journal of Ageing, Jg. 22, H. 1. DOI:10.1007/s10433-025-00857-x

Abstract

"This paper examines how caregiving influences employment transitions among employed mid-life adults (50–69 years) who began providing non-professional care on a daily basis to someone inside or outside their household. Using data from the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) from 2004 to 2017, we apply a difference-in-difference model with propensity score weighting to estimate probabilities of various employment change outcomes for each care status. These outcomes include reducing working hours, exiting the labor market, and retiring. Results are compared to those who continue to work. We assess heterogeneities by gender, income and three empirically identified care regime types from the first article in this special collection: strong defamilialism/supported familialism (strong DF/SF), moderate DF/SF and familialism-by-default (FbD). Results show that overall and for each gender and care regime, retiring is the most likely employment transition for new caregivers. However, low-income persons that make the transition into co-resident care in moderate DF/SF care regime countries are more likely to reduce working hours than non-carers. Regarding labor market exits, no significant overall effect was found. Nonetheless, exit was less likely among men in FbD regime countries when care occurred outside their household. This pattern may reflect financial pressures to stay in employment in contexts of limited state support (hence, an income effect). Women, on the other hand, are less likely to exit in strong DF/SF countries, which might be an income effect in that context. To conclude, caregiving significantly affects employment transitions, with notable differences across gender, income levels, and care regimes. These results underscore the importance of policies that support caregivers—particularly in familialist contexts—by providing affordable formal care options and flexible workplace arrangements to help them remain in employment." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Warum, Philipp, Fabrizio Culotta, Ulrike Famira-Mühlberger, Thomas Horvath, Thomas Leoni, Pauline Pohl & Martin Spielauer (2025): The Impact of Demographic Change on Spousal Caregiving and Future Gaps in Long-term Care: Microsimulation Projections for Austria and Italy. (WIFO working papers 709), Wien, 60 S.

Abstract

"As populations age, the sustainability of long-term care systems increasingly depends on the availability of informal care, particularly from partners. This paper addresses the question of how much care we may expect partners to provide in the future by projecting demand for long-term care (LTC), the care supply mix based on current patterns, and the resulting care gaps up to 2070. Using a comparative dynamic microsimulation model, we contrast the results for Austria and Italy, two countries at very different stages in the ageing process and with pronounced institutional differences. Our results suggest that delayed widowhood due to improvements in mortality is a mitigating factor for the increased need for formal care in ageing societies, although it can only offset this increase to a limited extent. Even under optimistic assumptions, potential care gaps substantially increase in both countries, primarily due to demographic change. The size of these gaps is influenced by institutional settings, partnership patterns and gains in longevity, but no scenario reverses the overall upward trend. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive LTC reforms that extend beyond merely promoting informal care and highlight the necessity for substantial investment in formal care infrastructure." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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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))

Zitatform

(2025): Gender Equality in a Changing World. Taking Stock and Moving Forward. (Gender Equality at Work), Paris: OECD Publishing, 311 S. DOI:10.1787/e808086f-en

Abstract

"Despite significant progress over the last century, women still fare worse than men in most economic, social and political outcomes in EU and OECD countries. Drawing on novel data and using a lifecycle approach, this report presents a comprehensive stocktaking of how women, men, girls and boys are faring across seven key policy areas – education and skills, paid and unpaid work, leadership and representation, health, gender-based violence, the green transition and the digital transitions. The challenges are significant. Recognising that closing gender gaps requires serious and co-ordinated policy commitments and actions, this report presents countries’ good practices in gender mainstreaming, encourages breaking down silos, and identifies useful policy combinations to advance gender equality. A conceptual framework is included for governments seeking to assess their own legal, policy and budgetary measures, to help countries transform gender equality commitments into action." (Text excerpt, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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(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)

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(2025): Gender Equality Index 2024: Sustaining momentum on a fragile path. (Gender equality index ...), Vilnius, 118 S. DOI:10.2839/9523460

Abstract

"Since 2010, the Gender Equality Index has set a benchmark for equality between women and men to guide decision-makers on policies and goals for a more balanced and inclusive society across the EU by highlighting what is working and where, and what is not working. Chapter 1 presents the results of the Gender Equality Index 2024, along with key trends since the 2023 edition and between 2010 and 2022. A convergence analysis reveals diverse progress patterns at the national level while providing a broader context for Index findings. Chapters 2–8 summarise the policy context, the EU and country scores in key Index domains and how these scores link to violence against women. An intersectional approach exposes different layers of inequality across domains." (Text excerpt, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Abstract

"Wer Fachkräfte sucht, kann auf Frauen nicht verzichten. Das ist klar. Doch die Ergebnisse der Sonderauswertung des DGB-Index Gute Arbeit machen deutlich, dass die Steigerung der Frauenerwerbstätigkeit kein Selbstläufer ist. Ob Frauen dem Arbeitsmarkt zur Verfügung stehen und einer existenzsichernden Beschäftigung nachgehen können, hängt weniger von individuellen Entscheidungen ab. Vielmehr entscheiden die Aufteilung von unbezahlter Sorgearbeit zwischen Frauen und Männern und die Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf darüber, ob und in welchem Umfang Frauen erwerbstätig sein können. Politisch Verantwortliche und Arbeitgeber müssen daher handeln. Die Ergebnisse des DGB-Index zeigen: Zielgerichtete betriebliche Maßnahmen können zu einer besseren Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf beitragen, was vor allem Frauen zugutekäme. Und auch auf politischer Ebene müssen die Hürden für Frauen am Arbeitsmarkt abgebaut werden. Nur so können die wirtschaftliche Eigenständigkeit von Frauen gestärkt und ihr großes Erwerbspotenzial zur Fachkräftesicherung genutzt werden." (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

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Ahammer, Alexander, Gerald J. Pruckner & Flora Stiftinger (2024): The labor and health economics of breast cancer. (Working paper / Department of Economics, Johannes Kepler Universität of Linz 2024-09), Linz, 60 S.

Abstract

"We estimate the long-run labor market and health effects of breast cancer among Austrian women. Compared to a random sample of same-aged non-affected women, those diagnosed with breast cancer face a 22.8 percent increase in health expenses, 6.2 percent lower employment, and a wage penalty of 15 percent five years after diagnosis. Although affected women sort into higher quality jobs post-diagnosis, this is offset by a reduction in working hours. We argue that the hours reduction is more likely driven by an increase in the time preference rate, meaning that patients increasingly value the present over the future, rather than by an incapacitation effect or employer discrimination." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Aragonès, Enriqueta (2024): Gender Choice at Work. (Barcelona GSE working paper series 1460), Barcelona, 29 S.

Abstract

"This paper analyzes the demand based causes of gender discrimination in the labor market and it aims to explain the currently existing gender gaps in terms of labor market participation and lab or income. I propose a formal model to analyze the gender discrimination that individuals face at work due to statistical discrimination and taste-based discrimination. I study the effects of discrimination on the lab or market participation, income, and utility distributions and compare these effects between the female and male sectors of the society. I show that the conditions that dissipate the gender gaps are also good to improve efficiency. However, in order to reach a first best it is necessary to eliminate all kinds of gender related idiosyncratic preferences that are based on stereotypes and conscious and unconscious biases." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Arnemann, Laura, Lukas Riedel & Holger Stichnoth (2024): Geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede bei Einkommen und Erwerbsbeteiligung, wichtige Einflussfaktoren und Ereignisse. Forschungsbericht im Rahmen des Siebten Armuts- und Reichtumsberichts. Mannheim, 120 S.

Abstract

"Der vorliegende Bericht legt geschlechts- und kohortenspezifische Altersprofile von Erwerbseinkommen und Beschäftigung vor, analysiert Einflussfaktoren auf diese Profile (Bildung, Kinderzahl, Migrationshintergrund, Wohnort in Ost- oder Westdeutschland), untersucht die Auswirkungen (erwerbs-)biografischer Ereignisse (Geburt des ersten Kindes, Scheidung, Arbeitslosigkeit, Erwerbsminderung/Schwerbehinderung) auf Erwerbseinkommen und Beschäftigung und arbeitet in einer Lebensverlaufsbetrachtung typische Verläufe der Einkommen, gemessen an der alters- und jahresspezifischen Position in der Einkommensverteilung, sowie die Verteilung der kumulierten Erwerbseinkommen im Alter von 20 bis 45, differenziert nach Geschlecht, Kohorte und weiteren Merkmalen, heraus. Datengrundlage sind das Sozio-oekonomische Panel und die Stichprobe der Integrierten Arbeitsmarktbiografien." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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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)

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Baktash, Mehrzad B., John S. Heywood & Uwe Jirjahn (2024): Variable Pay and Work Hours: Does Performance Pay Reduce the Gender Time Gap? (GLO discussion paper / Global Labor Organization 1450), Essen, 32 S.

Abstract

"Using German survey data, we show that performance pay is associated with a substantially lower gender hours gap. While performance pay increases the work hours of both men and women, the increase is much larger for women than for men. This finding persists in worker fixed effects estimates. We argue our finding likely reflects differences in household production and specialization by gender. Thus, we show that performance pay is not associated with increased hours for men with children in the household. Yet, performance pay is associated with a very large increase in hours for women with children in the household." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Becker, Johannes (2024): Reform der Ehegattenbesteuerung als Maßnahme gegen den Fachkräftemangel. In: Ifo-Schnelldienst, Jg. 77, H. 8, S. 17-20.

Abstract

"Johannes Becker, Universität Münster, diskutiert die Reform der Ehegattenbesteuerung als Maßnahme gegen den Fachkräftemangel. Um eine Verbesserung von Arbeitsanreizen von Zweitverdienern zu erzielen, wäre die Belastung der Zweitverdienereinkommen zu verringern. Da die Belastung daher rühre, dass das Eheprivileg mit zunehmendem Zweitverdienereinkommen abgebaut wird, gibt es die Möglichkeit, das Eheprivileg zu verringern, den Abbau durch eine zusätzliche Subvention zu bremsen oder das Eheprivileg des Splittings durch ein anderes, weniger verhaltensverzerrendes zu ersetzen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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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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Calahorrano, Lena & Tobias Rachidi (2024): Wiedereinstiegsrechner. Methodenbericht. 24 S.

Abstract

"Dieser Bericht fasst die vom Fraunhofer FIT verwendete Methodik zur Schätzung/Prognose von Bruttolöhnen in Abhängigkeit von Informationen zur Erwerbshistorie (Berufsabschluss, Berufserfahrung etc.) sowie zur gewünschten Arbeitsstelle (Beruf, Branche etc.) für den Wiedereinstiegsrechner zusammen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Calvo, Paula, Ilse Lindenlaub & Ana Reynoso (2024): Marriage Market and Labor Market Sorting. In: The Review of Economic Studies, Jg. 91, H. 6, S. 3316-3361. DOI:10.1093/restud/rdae010

Abstract

"We develop a new equilibrium model in which households’ labor supply choices form the link between sorting on the marriage market and sorting on the labor market. We first show that in theory, the nature of home production—whether partners’ hours are complements or substitutes—shapes equilibrium labor supply as well as marriage and labour market sorting. We then estimate our model using German data to empirically assess the nature of home production, and find that spouses’ home hours are complements. We investigate to what extent complementarity in home hours drives sorting and inequality. We find that home production complementarity strengthens positive marriage sorting and reduces the gender gap in hours and in labor sorting. This puts significant downward pressure on the gender wage gap and on within-household income inequality, but fuels between-household inequality. Our estimated model sheds new light on the sources of inequality in today’s Germany, and—by identifying important shifts in home production technology toward more complementarity—on the evolution of inequality over time." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Ciasullo, Ludovica & Martina Uccioli (2024): What Works for Working Couples? Work Arrangements, Maternal Labor Supply, and the Division of Home Production. (IZA discussion paper / Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit 16991), Bonn, 87 S.

Abstract

"We document how a change to work arrangements reduces the child penalty in labor supply for women, and that the consequent more equal distribution of household income does not translate into a more equal division of home production between mothers and fathers. The Australian 2009 Fair Work Act explicitly entitled parents of young children to request a (reasonable) change in work arrangements. Leveraging variation in the timing of the law, timing of childbirth, and the bite of the law across different occupations and industries, we establish three main results. First, the Fair Work Act was used by new mothers to reduce their weekly working hours without renouncing their permanent contract, hence maintaining a regular schedule. Second, with this work arrangement, working mothers’ child penalty declined from a 47 percent drop in hours worked to a 38 percent drop. Third, while this implies a significant shift towards equality in the female- and male-shares of household income, we do not observe any changes in the female (disproportionate) share of home production." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((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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Coskun, Sena & Husnu Dalgic (2024): Hohe Erwerbsbeteiligung von Frauen und hohe Geburtenraten: die Quadratur des Kreises? In: IAB-Forum H. 04.10.2024. DOI:10.48720/IAB.FOO.20241004.01

Abstract

"Die Zahl der Geburten pro Frau schwankt in Deutschland je nach Region erheblich. Vor allem in Bundesländern mit geringem Gender-Pay-Gap bewegen sich die Geburtenraten deutlich unter dem Bundesdurchschnitt. Woran liegt das? Eine Untersuchung der regional unterschiedlichen Entwicklung der Geburtenraten in wirtschaftlichen Krisenzeiten gibt interessante Aufschlüsse." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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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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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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Frey, Valérie, Jasmin Thomas & Lyydia Alajääskö (2024): Gender gaps in perceptions of social protection: Insights from the OECD Risks that Matter Survey. In: International social security review, Jg. 77, H. 4, S. 23-48. DOI:10.1111/issr.12374

Abstract

"Aufgrund ihres geringeren Verbleibens im Arbeitsmarkt sowie ihres niedrigeren Einkommens verspüren Frauen systematisch eine höhere finanzielle Unsicherheit als Männer in allen Mitgliedsländern der Organisation für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (OECD). Ähnliche Geschlechterungleichheiten treten bei der Wahrnehmung von Sozialschutzsystemen auf: Hier vertrauen Frauen viel weniger als Männer ihrer Fähigkeit hinsichtlich des Zugangs zu Leistungen und Dienstleistungen sowie des Erhalts angemessener Einkommensunterstützung, sofern sie diese benötigen, sowohl im erwerbsfähigen als auch im hohen Alter. Die Ergebnisse der länderübergreifenden OECD-Umfrage „Risks that Matter“ (Risiken, die wichtig sind – RTM) belegen, dass in allen Ländern durchschnittlich etwa die Hälfte der Frauen das Gefühl hat, im Bedarfsfall keinen leichten Zugang zu öffentlichen Leistungen zu bekommen, im Gegensatz zu 43 Prozent der Männer. Diese wahrgenommene Nichtzugänglichkeit ist wahrscheinlich ein Spiegelbild der Geschlechterungleichheiten bei den wahrgenommenen „Kosten durch Ärger “, die mit den Anträgen zu Sozialprogrammen und der Übernahme des Verwaltungsaufwands im Haushalt verbunden sind, sowie auch der niedrigeren Sozialversicherungsbeiträge von Frauen. Dieser Artikel beleuchtet die Geschlechterungleichheiten im Entwurf von Sozialprogrammen und zeigt Möglichkeiten für Regierungen auf, um bei der Verbesserung des Zugangs und der Angemessenheit des Sozialschutzes die Geschlechterfrage besser zu berücksichtigen." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku, Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons)

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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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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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Heckl, Pia & Elisabeth Wurm (2024): Workplace Breastfeeding and Maternal Employment. (CESifo working paper 11248), München, 52 S.

Abstract

"This paper investigates the impact of workplace breastfeeding laws on the labor supply of mothers. We exploit a unique setting, when throughout 1998-2009 states in the US introduced laws requiring employers to provide break time and a private room for women to express milk or breastfeed. Our results show an increase in breastfeeding initiation and the probability that a child was breastfed at three and six months after birth. We find that workplace breastfeeding significantly increase maternal employment by 4% when children are in breastfeeding age." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Hermann, Michaela & Luisa Kunze (2024): Gleichstellung am Arbeitsmarkt? Aktuelle Herausforderungen und Potenziale von Frauenerwerbstätigkeit in Deutschland. (Factsheet / Bertelsmann Stiftung), Gütersloh, 14 S. DOI:10.11586/2023085

Abstract

"Die Erwerbstätigenquote von Frauen in Deutschland ist mit knapp 78 Prozent im europäischen Vergleich eine der höchsten. Da jedoch fast die Hälfte aller 20- bis 64-jährigen Frauen (48 Prozent) in Teilzeit arbeitet, ist ihre tatsächliche Erwerbsstundenzahl vergleichsweise gering. Dabei sind Frauen häufig hochqualifiziert und würden auch gerne mehr arbeiten – wenn die Rahmenbedingungen dafür besser wären. Angesichts dieses ungenutzten Potenzials ist es sowohl aus gleichstellungspolitischer als auch wirtschaftlicher Perspektive von höchster Relevanz, die Erwerbsbeteiligung von Frauen zu erhöhen. Gerade in Zeiten eines beschleunigten Strukturwandels sowie zunehmenden Fachkräftemangels braucht es differenzierte Maßnahmen, um die Frauenerwerbstätigkeit zu stärken. Eine höhere Erwerbsbeteiligung von Frauen kann nicht nur helfen, Diskriminierung am Arbeitsmarkt zu mindern, sondern trägt auch zur Fachkräftesicherung und zu wirtschaftlichem Wohlstand bei. Gleichzeitig können sich Frauen beruflich freier und umfassender entwickeln, sind finanziell unabhängiger und beugen mit einem existenzsichernden Erwerbseinkommen der Armut im Alter vor." (Autorenreferat, IAB-Doku)

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Irmen, Andreas, Rana Cömertpay & Anastasia Litina (2024): Societal Aging and Attitudes towards Women in the Labor Market: Evidence from European Countries. In: Economics Bulletin, Jg. 44, H. 4, S. 1326-1332.

Abstract

"This paper examines the relationship between societal aging and attitudes toward women in the labor market. We hypothesize that, up to a certain point, these attitudes are more favorable as societies grow ”older”. In these societies, people may better recognize that an increase in female labor force participation can help mitigate the challenges that societal aging imposes on the welfare state. To test this hypothesis, we conduct a multilevel analysis of individuals from 25 European OECD countries between 2004 and 2017, using the Old Age Dependency Ratio (OADR) as a proxy for societal aging and gender-related questions from the European Social Survey (ESS). Our findings reveal a hump-shaped relationship between societal aging and attitudes towards women in the labor market. In the early stages of demographic change, particularly in countries with a rising OADR, positive attitudes can be attributed to the recognition that an aging population necessitates a larger working-age population, making women a logical resource for expansion, thus fostering more favorable norms. However, as societal aging progresses further, conservative views associated with older populations begin to dominate, leading to a deterioration in gender norms. in the labor market. In the early stages of demographic change, particularly in countries with a rising OADR, positive attitudes can be attributed to the recognition that an aging population necessitates a larger working-age population, making women a logical resource for expansion, thus fostering more favorable norms. However, as societal aging progresses further, conservative views associated with older populations begin to dominate, leading to a deterioration in gender norms." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Jongbloed, Janine, Johanna Turgetto, Lesley Andres & Wolfgang Lauterbach (2024): Education, employment, and care work over adulthood: gendered life course trajectories in Canada and Germany. In: Journal of education and work, Jg. 37, H. 1-4, S. 92-114. DOI:10.1080/13639080.2024.2362630

Abstract

"This article compares the education, employment, and care work biographical sequences of Canadian and German women and men from late adolescence into mid-adulthood. Through the lenses of comparative gendered life course theory and welfare regime theory, sequence and cluster analyses are used to determine the adult life course sequences of women and men in each country and to assess the extent to which they differ across contexts. The analyses reveal clear gender differences in work-family balance in labour market participation and unpaid care work. Groups also differ strongly on educational attainment, income, and family composition. Comparatively, gender differences are less marked in the Canadian context. These results suggest that differing gendered trajectories result in diverse outcomes depending on the national context, shaping different outcomes for women cross-nationally. Our findings highlight how historical and contemporary country-specific welfare state policies support or hinder women as active and productive members of society." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Josten, Edith J. C., Ellen Verbakel & Alice H. de Boer (2024): A longitudinal study on the consequences of the take-up of informal care on work hours, labour market exit and workplace absenteeism due to illness. In: Ageing & Society, Jg. 44, S. 495-518. DOI:10.1017/S0144686X22000204

Abstract

"Little is known about the effects of informal care-giving on employees' absenteeism due to illness. This paper therefore provides a longitudinal analysis of the consequences of taking on informal care-giving for men's and women's working hours and workplace absenteeism due to illness. Data were taken from the Dutch Labour Supply Panel (waves 2004–2018); 495 of the 6,452 male observations in this panel and 696 of the 5,961 female observations had taken on informal care-giving. It was tested whether respondents who became (intensive) informal carers were more likely than respondents who remained non-care-givers to reduce their work hours or stop working between waves t and t1, or to be absent from work due to illness in wave t1. (Multinomial) logistic regression analyses showed that taking on informal care reduced women's working hours when the care they provided was intensive, but not men's. The predicted probability of women reducing their work hours was 12 per cent if they had remained non-care-givers between waves t and t1, 15 per cent if they had started giving non-intensive care and 19 per cent if they had begun providing intensive help. In addition, starting to provide (non-intensive) informal care increased the risk of workplace absenteeism among both women and men. The study highlights the need for workplace policies that prevent female carers from reducing their work hours, and enable male and female carers to continue working in a healthy way." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

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Lorenti, Angelo, Jessica Nisén, Letizia Mencarini & Mikko Myrskylä (2024): Gendered Parenthood-Employment Gaps from Midlife: A Demographic Perspective Across Three Different Welfare Systems. In: European Journal of Population, Jg. 40. DOI:10.1007/s10680-024-09699-2

Abstract

"Women’s labor force participation has increased in Western countries, but gender gaps remain, especially among parents. Using a novel comparative perspective, we assess women’s and men’s employment trajectories from midlife onward by parity and education. We provide insights into the gendered parenthood-employment gaps examining the long-term implications of parenthood beyond the core childbearing ages by decomposing years lived between ages 40–74, in years of employment, joblessness, and retirement. Using multistate incidence-based life tables, we compare different cultural and institutional contexts: Finland, Italy, and the USA. Our results document large cross-national variation, with education playing a key role. In Finland, the number of years of employment increases with parity for women and men, and the gender gap is small; in the USA, the relationship between parity and years of employment is relatively flat, although a gender gap emerges among those with two or more children; in Italy, the number of years of employment decreases sharply for women as parity increases, while it increases for men. Notably, education has a similar positive impact on years of employment across all groups in Finland. In contrast, in the USA and Italy, the gender gap is only half as large among highly educated mothers as it is among low educated mothers. The employment trajectories of childless women and men differ greatly across countries." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

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Matysiak, Anna, Anna Kurowska & Alina Maria Pavelea (2024): His unemployment, her response, and the moderating role of welfare policies in European countries. Results from a preregistered study. In: PLoS ONE, Jg. 19. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0306964

Abstract

"Recent changes in labor markets have increased employment instability. Under these conditions, in male breadwinner families women might increase their labor supply when their male partners become unemployed. Previous studies have extensively investigated the role played by household and individual characteristics in explaining such increases in the labor supply of women. However, studies which examine the moderating role of specific welfare policies are missing. Our study contributes to the literature by investigating the moderating effect of childcare and tax-benefit policies for the labor supply response of women following the unemployment of their partner. We focus on a sample of 24 EU member states and the UK, during the period 2009-2019, combining longitudinal microdata from EU-SILC with country-period specific policy indicators generated with the use of the tax-benefit simulation model EUROMOD, UKMOD and country-period specific indicators of childcare use. We find that women indeed respond to men’sunemployment by increasing their labor supply though the response is fairly weak. We also find the response is not restricted by having children at home or availability of public childcare and does not depend on the generosity of unemployment benefits. It is, however, negatively affected by marginal tax rates." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Zitatform

Onuk, Parla & Yılmaz Aydin (2024): Gender gap and the labor market structure: A neoclassical approach for the case of Turkiye. In: Quality & quantity, Jg. 58, H. 5, S. 4627-4640. DOI:10.1007/s11135-024-01871-4

Abstract

"In recent years, Turkiye has been among the lowest in the Global Gender Gap index announced. This study is intended to analyze the main determinants of the labor market and the role of women in this market by shedding light on Turkiye's economic and government policies in the last 20 years. For this, the basic human capital model has been applied using the Household Labor Force Survey of 2021 published by TURKSTAT (Turkish Statistical Institute). The wage increases with the increased level of education and experience that supports the basic model. At the same time, the extended models that we have applied have shown that women, despite having a high level of education, take a lower wage than men. At the same time, single and married women are less likely to participate in the labor force. Moreover, the wage taken decreases with the employment in the private sector and working part-time. Considering the differences between the sectors, the workers in the industrial sector have been determined to be paid a higher wage than those in the sectors of service and agriculture. An analysis of women's participation in labour force has also shown that their marital status as married and the increase in their educational level has a negative effect. Finally, we have discussed the disadvantages of being a woman in the labour market where the neoliberal policies implemented in Turkiye have deepened the gap." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku, © Springer-Verlag) ((en))

Zitatform

Paus, Lisa (2024): Gender Gaps – Reformoptionen der (Steuer-)Politik. In: Ifo-Schnelldienst, Jg. 77, H. 8, S. 3-6.

Abstract

"Nicht überall in Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft ist die Gleichstellung von Mann und Frau Realität. Defizite reichen vom Gender Pay Gap bis zum Gender Care Gap. Veränderte Rahmenbedingungen können helfen, sie zu verringern. So enthält der Koalitionsvertrag Vorschläge zur Verbesserung der ökonomischen Gleichstellung von Männern und Frauen. Die Abschaffung der Steuerklassenkombination III/V ist eine konkrete Maßnahme und könnte das Arbeitsangebot des Zweitverdienenden – meist die Frau – erhöhen und ist ein wichtiger Schritt auch im Kontext des Fachkräftemangels. Welche weiteren Reformen bringen uns der Geschlechtergerechtigkeit näher?" (Textauszug, IAB-Doku)

Zitatform

Popova, Daria, Katrin Gasior & Silvia Avram (2024): Outside the box? – Women's individual poverty risk in the EU and the role of labor market characteristics and tax-benefit policies. (ISER working paper series / Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex 2024-02), Colchester, 31 S.

Abstract

"Social policy debates as early as the 1950s have focused on the activation of individuals into employment. This assumes jobs with good work-ing conditions and fair pay; ignores women's reality of part-time work, unpaid care work and the gender pay gap; and has often resulted in the weakening of traditional social protection. We study the individual poverty risk of women under the adult worker paradigm across the EU using the tax-benefit model EUROMOD and EU-SILC data. Comparing the individual poverty risk of working-age women to the benchmark of typical male workers, we highlight heterogeneity driven by women's economic situation and job characteristics and analyze the role of the tax-benefit system in reducing the gap. The analysis shows that only slightly more than one third of women isn't the adult worker model, while this is the case for almost two thirds of men. Inactive and unemployed women are particularly likely to be vulnerable to poverty, but even women with the same characteristics as male reference workers experience a higher poverty risk, highlighting the role of the gender pay gap. Benefits cushion some of the gendered labor market differences but are often not generous enough for unemployed and inactive women or not sufficiently available for self-employed women. Women in atypical employment are furthermore disproportionally affected by taxes and social insurance contributions as they lead to a higher poverty rate, contributing to a larger gap compared to typical male workers." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))