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The Social Multiplier and Labour Market Participation of Mothers

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  • Maurin, Eric

    (Paris School of Economics)

  • Moschion, Julie

    (Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research)

Abstract

A mother’s decision to participate in the labour market is correlated with those of the other mothers living in the same neighbourhood. This paper studies the extent to which this is causal. An identification problem exists because mothers with similar characteristics are often observed living in close proximity. Our identifying strategy uses instrumental variables. Specifically, the sex of the eldest siblings of the other mothers living in the neighbourhood is used as an instrument to identify the effect of neighbours’ participation in the labour market on own participation. The IV estimate suggests a strong elasticity of own participation to neighbours participation. Interestingly enough, estimates using the quarters of birth of the children of the other mothers living in the neighbourhood as instruments are as large as estimates using the sex-mix instruments. We provide additional evidence showing that the random fertility shocks that affect the timing of births and the participation in the labour market of a mother, affect the participation in the labour market of the other mothers in the neighbourhood too.

Suggested Citation

  • Maurin, Eric & Moschion, Julie, 2006. "The Social Multiplier and Labour Market Participation of Mothers," IZA Discussion Papers 2513, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp2513
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    neighbourhood effects; female participation in the labour market; social multiplier;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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