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Causal effects on employment after first birth - A dynamic treatment approach -

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  • Fitzenberger, B.

    (Externe publicaties SBE)

  • Sommerfeld, K.
  • Steffes, S.

Abstract

The effects of childbirth on future labor market outcomes are a key issue for policy discussion. This paper implements a dynamic treatment approach to estimate the effect of having the first child now versus later on future employment for the case of Germany, a country with a long maternity leave coverage. Effect heterogeneity is assessed by estimating ex post outcome regressions. Based on SOEP data, we provide estimates at a monthly frequency. The results show that there are very strong negative employment effects after childbirth. Although the employment loss is reduced over the first five years following childbirth, it does not level off to zero. The employment loss is lower for mothers with a university degree. It is especially high for medium-skilled mothers with long pre-birth employment experience. We find a significant reduction in the employment loss for more recent childbirths.
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  • Fitzenberger, B. & Sommerfeld, K. & Steffes, S., 2013. "Causal effects on employment after first birth - A dynamic treatment approach -," ROA Research Memorandum 010, Maastricht University, Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:umaror:2013010
    DOI: 10.26481/umaror.2013010
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    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • 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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