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Part-time Parental Leave and Life Satisfaction: Evidence from the Netherlands

Author

Listed:
  • Laëtitia Dillenseger

    (BETA, Université de Strasbourg
    EHERO, Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Martijn J. Burger

    (EHERO, Erasmus University Rotterdam
    University of Johannesburg
    Open University of the Netherlands)

  • Francis Munier

    (BETA, Université de Strasbourg)

Abstract

There is extensive literature on the relationship between having children and life satisfaction. Although parenthood can provide meaningfulness in life, parenting may increase obligations and decrease leisure time, reducing life satisfaction. In the Netherlands, parental leave is a part-time work arrangement that allows parents with young children to reconcile better work and family commitments. Using panel data from the Dutch Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences (LISS), we estimated with fixed-effects models the impact of the part-time parental leave scheme in the Netherlands on the life satisfaction of parents with young children. We find that the legal framework of Dutch parental leave offering job-protected leave and fiscal benefits are conducive to parents’ life satisfaction. Our findings hold using different model specifications. Additionally, we did not find evidence for existing reverse causality and that shorter and more elaborate parental leave schemes are more beneficial for life satisfaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Laëtitia Dillenseger & Martijn J. Burger & Francis Munier, 2023. "Part-time Parental Leave and Life Satisfaction: Evidence from the Netherlands," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(6), pages 3019-3041, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:18:y:2023:i:6:d:10.1007_s11482-023-10218-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-023-10218-4
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Part-time; Parental Leave scheme; Children; Life Satisfaction; Work-life balance; The Netherlands;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C10 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - General
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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