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The Earned Income Tax Credit and Maternal Time Use: More Time Working and Less Time with Kids?

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  • Jacob Bastian
  • Lance Lochner

Abstract

Parents spend considerable time and resources investing in their children’s development. Given evidence that the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) affects maternal labor supply, we investigate how the maximum available EITC amount affects a broad array of time use activities, focusing on the amount and nature of time spent with children. Using 2003–18 time use data, we find that federal and state EITC expansions increase maternal work time, reducing time devoted to home production, leisure, and time with children. However, almost none of the reduction comes from time devoted to “investment” activities, such as active learning and development activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacob Bastian & Lance Lochner, 2022. "The Earned Income Tax Credit and Maternal Time Use: More Time Working and Less Time with Kids?," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 40(3), pages 573-611.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/717729
    DOI: 10.1086/717729
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    Cited by:

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    2. Natasha V. Pilkauskas & Katherine Michelmore, 2023. "Who’s Caring for the Kids? The Earned Income Tax Credit and Childcare Arrangements," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 706(1), pages 37-64, March.
    3. Hicks, Jeffrey & Simard-Duplain, Gaëlle & Green, David A. & Warburton, William, 2022. "The effect of reducing welfare access on employment, health, and children's long-run outcomes," CLEF Working Paper Series 51, Canadian Labour Economics Forum (CLEF), University of Waterloo.
    4. Taryn W. Morrissey, 2023. "The minimum wage and parent time use," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 1043-1062, September.
    5. Mareen Bastiaans & Robert Dur & Anne C. Gielen, 2023. "Activating the Long-Term Inactive: Labor Market and Mental Health Effects," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 23-003/V, Tinbergen Institute.
    6. Nabanita Datta Gupta & Jonas Jessen & C. Katharina Spiess, 2023. "Maternal Life Satisfaction and Child Development from Toddlerhood to Adolescence," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 1189, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    7. Lucie Schmidt & Lara Shore‐Sheppard & Tara Watson, 2023. "The Effect of Safety Net Generosity on Maternal Mental Health and Risky Health Behaviors," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(3), pages 706-736, June.
    8. Francesco Agostinelli & Domenico Ferraro & Xincheng Qiu & Giuseppe Sorrenti, 2024. "Intra-Household Insurance and the Intergenerational Transmission of Income Risk," NBER Working Papers 32096, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    9. Bastian, Jacob & Bian, Luorao & Grogger, Jeffrey, 2022. "How Did Safety-Net Reform Affect the Education of Adolescents from Low-Income Families?," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    10. Krista Ruffini, 2023. "Does Unconditional Cash during Pregnancy Affect Infant Health?," Opportunity and Inclusive Growth Institute Working Papers 072, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
    • 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
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • 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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