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Ruhr Economic Papers #773

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

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

ISBN: 978-3-86788-901-8

JEL-Klassifikation: H31, J13, J22

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