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Labour Force Participation and Marital Fertility of Italian Women: The Role of Education

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  • Bratti, Massimiliano

    (Universita degli Studi di Ancona, Italy)

Abstract

This paper uses data from the 1993 Survey of Household Income and Wealth of the Bank of Italy in order to estimate a reduced form purist model of female marital fertility and labour force participation. In particular, we focus our attention on the effect of formal education on both fertility and labour force participation behaviour. Our estimates show a U-shaped pattern of fertility by education and that highly educated women postpone fertility and have a higher labour market attachment. Furthermore, cultural factors related to the gender role model prevailing in a family are of central importance.

Suggested Citation

  • Bratti, Massimiliano, 2002. "Labour Force Participation and Marital Fertility of Italian Women: The Role of Education," Royal Economic Society Annual Conference 2002 34, Royal Economic Society.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecj:ac2002:34
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    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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