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Parenthood and Productivity of Highly Skilled Labor: Evidence from the Groves of Academe

Author

Listed:
  • Krapf, Matthias

    (University of Basel)

  • Ursprung, Heinrich W.

    (University of Konstanz)

  • Zimmermann, Christian

    (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis)

Abstract

We examine the effect of pregnancy and parenthood on the research productivity of academic economists. Combining the survey responses of nearly 10,000 economists with their publication records as documented in their RePEc accounts, we do not find that motherhood is associated with low research productivity. Nor do we find a statistically significant unconditional effect of a first child on research productivity. Conditional difference-in-differences estimates, however, suggest that the effect of parenthood on research productivity is negative for unmarried women and positive for untenured men. Moreover, becoming a mother before 30 years of age appears to have a detrimental effect on research productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Krapf, Matthias & Ursprung, Heinrich W. & Zimmermann, Christian, 2014. "Parenthood and Productivity of Highly Skilled Labor: Evidence from the Groves of Academe," IZA Discussion Papers 7904, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7904
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    life cycle; research productivity; gender gap; research productivity; fertility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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