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Empowered Mothers, Empowered Generations: The Impact of Women’s Economic Rights

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  • Arenas-Arroyo, Esther

    (Vienna University of Economics and Business)

  • Wurm, Elisabeth

    (Central European University)

Abstract

This paper examines the long-run effects of women’s economic rights on generations exposed to property and earnings acts during childhood. We find that childhood exposure to these reforms reduced the probability of marriage—particularly among women—and increased female labor force participation in adulthood. To explore potential mechanisms, we document several short-run effects among the adult generation contemporaneous to the reforms, including improved occupational standing, reduced fertility, lower child mortality, and increased schooling among children. Taken together, our findings suggest that expanding economic rights for women can shape outcomes across multiple generations, underscoring the enduring importance of legal and institutional reforms that promote women’s economic empowerment.

Suggested Citation

  • Arenas-Arroyo, Esther & Wurm, Elisabeth, 2025. "Empowered Mothers, Empowered Generations: The Impact of Women’s Economic Rights," IZA Discussion Papers 18241, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18241
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    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • N31 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913

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