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Can Public Policies Break the Gender Mold? Evidence from Paternity Leave Reforms in Six Countries

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  • Sébastien Fontenay
  • Libertad González

Abstract

We investigate the impact of paternity leave policies on gender role attitudes in the next generation. We measure gender-stereotypical attitudes using an Implicit Association Test with 3,000 online respondents in six countries. Using an RD design, we observe a significant reduction (-0.21 SD) in gender-stereotypical attitudes among men born post-paternity leave implementation. This shift influences career choices, as men whose fathers were affected by the reform are more inclined to pursue counter-stereotypical jobs, particularly in high-skilled occupations like healthcare and education. Our findings highlight how paternity leave fosters egalitarian gender norms and affects the occupational choices of the next generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Sébastien Fontenay & Libertad González, 2024. "Can Public Policies Break the Gender Mold? Evidence from Paternity Leave Reforms in Six Countries," Working Papers 1422, Barcelona School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:bge:wpaper:1422
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ekberg, John & Eriksson, Rickard & Friebel, Guido, 2013. "Parental leave — A policy evaluation of the Swedish “Daddy-Month” reform," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 131-143.
    2. Matthias Doepke & Fabian Kindermann, 2019. "Bargaining over Babies: Theory, Evidence, and Policy Implications," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 109(9), pages 3264-3306, September.
    3. Salvatore Lo Bello & Iacopo Morchio, 2022. "Like father, like son: Occupational choice, intergenerational persistence and misallocation," Quantitative Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 13(2), pages 629-679, May.
    4. Natalia Nollenberger & Núria Rodríguez-Planas & Almudena Sevilla, 2016. "The Math Gender Gap: The Role of Culture," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 106(5), pages 257-261, May.
    5. Martin Eckhoff Andresen & Emily Nix, 2022. "Can the child penalty be reduced?. Evaluating multiple policy interventions," Discussion Papers 983, Statistics Norway, Research Department.
    6. Felix Busch, 2020. "Gender Segregation, Occupational Sorting, and Growth of Wage Disparities Between Women," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 57(3), pages 1063-1088, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    gender norms; paternity leave; female-dominated occupations; regression discontinuity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy

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