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Discrimination on the Child Care Market: A Nationwide Field Experiment

Author

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  • Hermes, Henning

    (ifo Institute, University of Munich)

  • Mierisch, Fabian

    (Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt)

  • Peter, Frauke

    (DZHW-German Centre for Research on Higher Education and Science Studies)

  • Wiederhold, Simon

    (IWH Halle)

  • Lergetporer, Philipp

    (Technical University of Munich)

Abstract

We provide the first causal evidence of discrimination against migrants seeking child care. We send emails from fictitious parents to > 18, 000 early child care centers across Germany, asking if there is a slot available and how to apply. Randomly varying names to signal migration background, we find that migrants receive 4.4 percentage points fewer responses. Responses to migrants also contain substantially fewer slot offers, are shorter, and less encouraging. Exploring channels, discrimination against migrants does not differ by the perceived educational background of the email sender. However, it does differ by regional characteristics, being stronger in areas with lower shares of migrants in child care, higher right-wing vote shares, and lower financial resources. Discrimination on the child care market likely perpetuates existing inequalities of opportunities for disadvantaged children.

Suggested Citation

  • Hermes, Henning & Mierisch, Fabian & Peter, Frauke & Wiederhold, Simon & Lergetporer, Philipp, 2023. "Discrimination on the Child Care Market: A Nationwide Field Experiment," IZA Discussion Papers 16082, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16082
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    Cited by:

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    2. Hermes, Henning & Lergetporer, Philipp & Mierisch, Fabian & Schwerdt, Guido & Wiederhold, Simon, 2024. "Does Information about Inequality and Discrimination in Early Child Care Affect Policy Preferences?," CEPR Discussion Papers 18835, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    3. Henning Hermesifo & Philipp Lergetporer & Frauke Peter & Simon Wiederhold, 2025. "Application Barriers and the Socioeconomic Gap in Child Care Enrollment," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 23(3), pages 1133-1172.
    4. Henning Hermes & Philipp Lergetporer & Frauke Peter & Fabian Mierisch & Simon Wiederhold, 2023. "Males Should Mail? Gender Discrimination in Access to Childcare," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 113, pages 427-431, May.
    5. Johannes Baur & Henning Hermes & Philipp Lergetporer & Fabian Mierisch & Guido Schwerdt & Simon Wiederhold, 2024. "Was weiß die deutsche Bevölkerung über Ungleichheiten im Zugang zu Kitas? Ergebnisse einer repräsentativen Befragung," ifo Schnelldienst, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 77(10), pages 36-38, October.
    6. Hermes, Henning & Lergetporer, Philipp & Mierisch, Fabian & Schwerdt, Guido & Wiederhold, Simon, 2024. "Information about inequality in early child care reduces polarization in policy preferences," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    7. Fischer, Sandra & Glaser, Stella & Stöbe-Blossey, Sybille, 2024. "Zwischen (Rechts-)Anspruch und Realität: Soziale Selektivität in der Kindertagesförderung," IAQ-Report 2024-06, University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute for Work, Skills and Training (IAQ).

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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
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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