Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/121439 
Year of Publication: 
2015
Series/Report no.: 
Research Papers in Economics No. 8/15
Publisher: 
Universität Trier, Fachbereich IV – Volkswirtschaftslehre, Trier
Abstract: 
The share of single mothers is higher in East Germany than in West Germany. Using data from the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), we examine two transmission channels leading to single motherhood, namely out-of-partnership births and separations of couples with minor children. Women in East Germany have both a higher probability of out-of-partnership birth and a higher probability of separation. We find no evidence that availability of child care plays a role in the differences between East and West Germany. The differences in single motherhood appear to be rather driven by cultural and economic factors.
Subjects: 
out-of-partnership birth
separation of couples
cohabitation
child care
unemployment
culture
JEL: 
J12
J13
P20
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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