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Parental Labor Supply: Evidence from Minimum Wage Changes

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Godøy
  • Michael Reich
  • Jesse Wursten
  • Sylvia Allegretto

Abstract

We analyze effects of the minimum wage on the labor supply of parents of young children. Distributional difference-in-differences and event-study models document a sharp rise in employment rates of single mothers with children ages zero to five following minimum wage increases. Effects are concentrated among jobs paying close to the minimum wage. We find corresponding drops in the probability of staying out of the labor force to care for family members. Results are consistent with simple labor supply models in which childcare costs create barriers to employment. Minimum wage increases then enable greater labor force participation and reduce child poverty.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Godøy & Michael Reich & Jesse Wursten & Sylvia Allegretto, 2024. "Parental Labor Supply: Evidence from Minimum Wage Changes," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 59(2), pages 416-442.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:59:y:2024:i:2:p:416-442
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.1119-10540R2
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    Cited by:

    1. Brown, Jessica H. & Herbst, Chris M., 2023. "Minimum Wage, Worker Quality, and Consumer Well-Being: Evidence from the Child Care Market," IZA Discussion Papers 16257, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Arindrajit Dube & Attila S. Lindner, 2024. "Minimum Wages in the 21st Century," NBER Working Papers 32878, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Hampton, Matt & Totty, Evan, 2023. "Minimum wages, retirement timing, and labor supply," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    4. Arindrajit Dube & Ben Zipperer, 2024. "Own-Wage Elasticity: Quantifying the Impact of Minimum Wages on Employment," NBER Working Papers 32925, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    5. Wursten, Jesse & Reich, Michael, 2023. "Racial inequality in frictional labor markets: Evidence from minimum wages," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J38 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Public Policy

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