Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/202766 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2019
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 12420
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Many countries offer new parents long periods of paid leave. Proponents argue that parental leave programs can reduce gender gaps in the labor market, support marital stability and promote children's well-being. In this paper, I show that lengthy leaves can instead work against several of these intended goals. Using a regression discontinuity design, I find that a 3-year expansion of paid leave in France increases household specialization by inducing mothers to exit the labor force and fathers to raise their work hours. The leave further discourages marriages among cohabiting couples and harms children's verbal development.
Subjects: 
parental leave
household specialization
marriage
child development
JEL: 
J12
J13
J18
J22
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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