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Parenthood and occupational mobility

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  • Andrew Yizhou Liu

Abstract

I show that parenthood contributes to the downward‐sloping age‐occupational‐mobility profile. After the birth of the first child, men experience a 20% decline in occupational switching which is uniform across upward and downward mobility. For women, the decline is 14%, which is larger for upward than for downward occupational mobility. Therefore, parenthood can explain 22% and 12% of the declines in occupational mobility for working men and women between 25 and 45 years of age, respectively. Workers in disadvantaged groups experience larger decreases, highlighting the potential impacts of parenthood on their occupational choices.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Yizhou Liu, 2025. "Parenthood and occupational mobility," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 63(2), pages 504-522, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:63:y:2025:i:2:p:504-522
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.13266
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    References listed on IDEAS

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