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A Cross-National Perspective on Unemployment and First Births
[Chômage et première naissance : une perspective transnationale]

Author

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  • Christian Schmitt

    (University of Rostock & Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP))

Abstract

This article investigates the impact of unemployment on the likelihood of having a first child. Using micro-data from the European Community Household Panel, I apply event history methods to analyze first-birth decisions in France, West Germany, and the UK (1994–2001). The results highlight weak negative effects of unemployment on family formation among men, which can be attributed to the inability to financially support a family. Among women, unemployment exerts a positive effect on the propensity to have a first child in Germany and the UK, where institutional settings aggravate work–family conflicts. Unemployment increases the likelihood of family formation among women with a moderate or low level of education. This does not, however, generally apply to French women or to highly educated women in Germany and the UK, who, when unemployed, favor a quick return to work over motherhood.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Schmitt, 2012. "A Cross-National Perspective on Unemployment and First Births [Chômage et première naissance : une perspective transnationale]," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 28(3), pages 303-335, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eurpop:v:28:y:2012:i:3:d:10.1007_s10680-012-9262-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10680-012-9262-5
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    2. James M. Raymo & Akihisa Shibata, 2017. "Unemployment, Nonstandard Employment, and Fertility: Insights From Japan’s “Lost 20 Years”," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 54(6), pages 2301-2329, December.
    3. Byron Kotzamanis & Anastasia Kostaki, 2015. "The Implications of the Recent Economic Crisis on Fertility in Greece," European Journal of Economics and Business Studies Articles, Revistia Research and Publishing, vol. 1, September.
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    6. Barbara Hofmann & Michaela Kreyenfeld & Arne Uhlendorff, 2017. "Job Displacement and First Birth Over the Business Cycle," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 54(3), pages 933-959, June.
    7. Inga Laß, 2020. "The Effects of Non-standard Employment on the Transition to Parenthood Within Couples: A Comparison of Germany and Australia," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 36(5), pages 843-874, November.
    8. Meg Kingsley, 2018. "The influence of income and work hours on first birth for Australian women," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 35(2), pages 107-129, June.
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    10. Schmitt, Christian, 2021. "The impact of economic uncertainty, precarious employment, and risk attitudes on the transition to parenthood," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 47, pages 1-1.
    11. Anna Matysiak & Tomáš Sobotka & Daniele Vignoli, 2021. "The Great Recession and Fertility in Europe: A Sub-national Analysis," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 37(1), pages 29-64, March.
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