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Fathers Taking Leave: Evaluating the Impact of Shared Parental Leave in the UK

Author

Listed:
  • Clifton-Sprigg, Joanna

    (University of Bath)

  • Fichera, Eleonora

    (University of Bath)

  • Kaya, Ezgi

    (Cardiff University)

  • Jones, Melanie K.

    (Cardiff University)

Abstract

We study the effect of the introduction in 2015 of UK Shared Parental Leave policy on the up-take and the length of leave taken by fathers. Using the UK Household Longitudinal Study and Regression Discontinuity in Time, we show that the reform has not affected uptake or length of parental leave reinforcing questions as to its effectiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Clifton-Sprigg, Joanna & Fichera, Eleonora & Kaya, Ezgi & Jones, Melanie K., 2024. "Fathers Taking Leave: Evaluating the Impact of Shared Parental Leave in the UK," IZA Discussion Papers 17076, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17076
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Canaan, Serena, 2022. "Parental leave, household specialization and children’s well-being," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    2. Claudia Olivetti & Barbara Petrongolo, 2017. "The Economic Consequences of Family Policies: Lessons from a Century of Legislation," Working Papers 811, Queen Mary University of London, School of Economics and Finance.
    3. Claudia Olivetti & Barbara Petrongolo, 2017. "The Economic Consequences of Family Policies: Lessons from a Century of Legislation in High-Income Countries," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 31(1), pages 205-230, Winter.
    4. Matias D. Cattaneo & Nicolas Idrobo & Rocio Titiunik, 2019. "A Practical Introduction to Regression Discontinuity Designs: Foundations," Papers 1911.09511, arXiv.org.
    5. Hosny Zoabi & Libertad González, 2021. "Does Paternity Leave Promote Gender Equality within Households?," Working Papers 1302, Barcelona School of Economics.
    6. Claudia Olivetti & Barbara Petrongolo, 2017. "The Economic Consequences of Family Policies: Lessons from a Century of Legislation in High-Income Countries," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 31(1), pages 205-230, Winter.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy

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