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Where does the time go?: Decomposing men and women’s time use following a first-birth

Author

Listed:
  • Annabel Siegal

    (Boston College)

  • Joanna Venator

    (Boston College)

Abstract

Is there a motherhood penalty in time use? Using a pseudo-event study design, we document that women’s time spent on childcare and housework increases more post-birth than men’s. Women are also more likely to spend more time on multi-tasking with women reporting a larger increase in time spent on childcare done simultaneously with leisure and housework. Using state-by-year variation in paid family leave legislation, we show that these policies change the motherhood penalty in time-use, increasing the gap in time use in the year of birth but reducing the gap in the years post-birth.

Suggested Citation

  • Annabel Siegal & Joanna Venator, 2026. "Where does the time go?: Decomposing men and women’s time use following a first-birth," Boston College Working Papers in Economics 1113, Boston College Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:boc:bocoec:1113
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • 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
    • J38 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Public Policy

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