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Working mothers' dilemma during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from China

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  • Zhang, Dandan
  • Liu, Yaxuan
  • Zhao, Yiling

Abstract

There is increasing evidence from developed countries showing that the COVID-19 recession disproportionately impacted the female labor force, causing a “She-cession”. This paper investigates the magnitude of the “She-cession” in China. Using a unique three-wave employee tracking survey of China in 2020, we portrayed the temporal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on working women during and post the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. Our results show a widening gender gap in unemployment, hours worked, and monthly salary throughout 2020. Marital status and children exacerbated the gender gaps; as expected, working mothers with a child aged 0–6 experienced the most adverse labor market outcomes. Moreover, working mothers with a child aged 0–6 displayed the worst mental health status compared to other groups throughout 2020.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Dandan & Liu, Yaxuan & Zhao, Yiling, 2024. "Working mothers' dilemma during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:84:y:2024:i:c:s1043951x2400021x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2024.102132
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gender disparities; COVID-19; Labor market; Mental health; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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