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The Labor Market Consequences Of Teenage Childbearing

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  • Mary A. Silles

Abstract

This paper provides estimates of the impact of an unanticipated child during adolescence on labor supply and earnings using data for women who gave birth between 1976 and 2015 drawn from 1990 and 2000 censuses and the American Community Surveys. Twins at first birth are used as an instrument to avoid the problems of fertility endogeneity. Estimates from our instrumental variable models indicate that the arrival of a second‐born twin had severe economic consequences for adolescent women over most of our data. (JEL J13, J31, J16)

Suggested Citation

  • Mary A. Silles, 2019. "The Labor Market Consequences Of Teenage Childbearing," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 37(4), pages 694-713, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:37:y:2019:i:4:p:694-713
    DOI: 10.1111/coep.12417
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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