Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/168399 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2016
Series/Report no.: 
Working Paper No. 2016:8
Publisher: 
Uppsala University, Department of Economics, Uppsala
Abstract: 
In this paper I compare the effect of entering parenthood on the spousal income gaps in lesbian and heterosexual couples using Swedish population wide register data. Comparing couples with similar pre-childbirth income gaps, a difference-in-differences strategy is used to estimate the impact of the gender composition of the couple on the spousal income gap after childbirth. The results indicate that the gender composition of the couple does matter for the division of labor after having children. Five years after childbirth the income gap is smaller in lesbian than in heterosexual couples also when comparing couples with the same pre-parenthood income gap. Heterosexual couples' division of labor seems to be influenced by traditional gender norms, regardless of their pre-childbirth income gap. In lesbian couples the partners' relative earnings before parenthood and a principle about fairness may be more important, as well as the partners' preferences for giving birth as the birth giving partner typically spends more time on parental leave.
Subjects: 
economics of gender
division of labor
labor supply
same-sex couples
transition to parenthood
JEL: 
D13
J13
J16
J22
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.