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Where Are the Fathers? Effects of Earmarking Parental Leave for Fathers in France

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  • Hélène Périvier
  • Gregory Verdugo

Abstract

Does providing nontransferable months of parental leave earmarked for fathers, as mandated by the European Union to its member countries since 2019, increase their participation? To answer that question, the authors investigate the consequences of a 2015 French reform that designated up to 12 months of paid leave for fathers while simultaneously reducing the maximum paid leave for mothers by the same number of months. Although the benefits were low, parental leave could be taken on a part-time basis, which can be more attractive to fathers. Using administrative data and comparing parents of children born before and after the reform, the authors find that in response to a 25 percentage point (pp) decline in mothers’ participation rate triggered by the reform, fathers’ participation increased by less than 1 pp, primarily through part-time leave. The reform increased mothers’ labor earnings, but it had no significant impact on fathers’ earnings. Overall, the substitutability of parental leave between parents appears to be low and, as a result, earmarking alone does not substantially increase fathers’ participation.

Suggested Citation

  • Hélène Périvier & Gregory Verdugo, 2024. "Where Are the Fathers? Effects of Earmarking Parental Leave for Fathers in France," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 77(1), pages 88-118, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ilrrev:v:77:y:2024:i:1:p:88-118
    DOI: 10.1177/00197939231201570
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    1. Joseph, Olivier & Pailhé, Ariane & Recotillet, Isabelle & Solaz, Anne, 2013. "The economic impact of taking short parental leave: Evaluation of a French reform," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 63-75.
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    Cited by:

    1. Averkamp, Dorothée, 2024. "The Gender Wage Gap, Labor-Market Experience, and Family Choices: Lessons from East Germany?," VfS Annual Conference 2024 (Berlin): Upcoming Labor Market Challenges 302347, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    parental leave; labor supply; gender inequality; policy analysis; part-time employment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy

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