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Motherhood and the allocation of talent

Author

Listed:
  • Inés Berniell
  • Lucila Berniell
  • Dolores de la Mata
  • María Edo
  • Yarine Fawaz
  • Matilde P. Machado
  • Mariana Marchionni

Abstract

In this paper we show that motherhood triggers changes in the allocation of talent in the labour market beyond the well-known effects on gender gaps in employment and earnings. Based on an event study approach around the birth of the first child and retrospective panel data for 28 European countries and Israel, we assess the labour market responses to motherhood across ‘talent’ groups–i.e. groups with different educational attainment, Math performance at age 10, and personality traits associated to entrepreneurial ability. We show that even the most talented women–both in absolute terms and relative to their husbands–leave the labour market or uptake part-time jobs after the birth of the first child. We also find that motherhood induces a negative selection of female talents into self-employment. Overall, our results suggest relevant changes in the allocation of talent associated to gender differences in non-market responsibilities that can have sizable impacts on aggregate market productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Inés Berniell & Lucila Berniell & Dolores de la Mata & María Edo & Yarine Fawaz & Matilde P. Machado & Mariana Marchionni, 2025. "Motherhood and the allocation of talent," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(44), pages 7073-7089, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:57:y:2025:i:44:p:7073-7089
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2024.2387861
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Lucas van der Velde, 2022. "Changes in attitudes towards gender norms following childbirth," Working Papers 397, Leibniz Institut für Ost- und Südosteuropaforschung (Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Studies).
    2. Luis Guirola & Laura Hospido & Andrea Weber, 2024. "Family and career: an analysis across Europe and North America," Fiscal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 45(2), pages 243-257, June.
    3. Galván, Estefanía & Tenenbaum, Victoria, 2026. "Gender gaps in academia: The role of children," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    4. Julian Pedrazzi & Leonardo Peñaloza-Pacheco, 2021. "Heterogeneous Effects of Forced Migration on Female Labor Supply," CEDLAS, Working Papers 0274, CEDLAS, Universidad Nacional de La Plata.
    5. Fajardo-Gonzalez, Johanna & Hasanbasri, Ardina & Rios-Avila, Fernando, 2024. "Is There a Gendered Parenthood Penalty in Indonesian Labor Markets?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10973, The World Bank.
    6. Weber, Andrea & Hospido, Laura & Guirola, Luis, 2024. "Family and Career: A Multi-Country Analysis," VfS Annual Conference 2024 (Berlin): Upcoming Labor Market Challenges 302357, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    7. Berniell, Inés & Berniell, Lucila & de la Mata, Dolores & Edo, María & Fawaz, Yarine & Machado, Matilde P. & Marchionni, Mariana, 2022. "Motherhood, pregnancy or marriage effects?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    8. Alicia Quinto & Laura Hospido & Carlos Sanz, 2021. "The child penalty: evidence from Spain," SERIEs: Journal of the Spanish Economic Association, Springer;Spanish Economic Association, vol. 12(4), pages 585-606, December.
    9. Berniell, Inés & Berniell, Lucila & de la Mata, Dolores & Edo, María & Marchionni, Mariana, 2023. "Motherhood and flexible jobs: Evidence from Latin American countries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    10. Marchionni, Mariana & Pedrazzi, Julián, 2025. "The last hurdle? Unyielding motherhood effects in the context of declining gender inequality in Latin America," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    11. Inés Berniell & Leonardo Gasparini & Mariana Marchionni & Mariana Viollaz, 2023. "The role of children and work-from-home in gender labor market asymmetries: evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 1191-1214, December.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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