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Culture as Learning: The Evolution of Female Labor Force Participation over a Century

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  • Raquel Fernandez

    (NYU)

Abstract

Married women's labor force participation increased dramatically over the last century. I investigate the role of changes in culture arising from learning in this process. In the model, women hold (heterogeneous) beliefs regarding the long-run payoff of market work versus working at home. Beliefs evolve via an intergenerational learning process which generically generates an S-shaped figure for female LFP. I calibrate the model and show that it does a good job in replicating the historical evolution of female LFP in the US over 120 years. I find that the model's novel dynamic role for wages is quantitatively important.

Suggested Citation

  • Raquel Fernandez, 2009. "Culture as Learning: The Evolution of Female Labor Force Participation over a Century," 2009 Meeting Papers 78, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    • Handle: RePEc:red:sed009:78
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    1. Pauline Grosjean & Rose Khattar, 2014. "It's Raining Men! Hallelujah?," Discussion Papers 2014-29A, School of Economics, The University of New South Wales.
    2. Pauline Grosjean & Rose Khattar, 2014. "It's Raining Men! Hallelujah?," Discussion Papers 2014-29B, School of Economics, The University of New South Wales.
    3. Mireia Borrell-Porta, 2015. "Do family values shape the pace of return to work after childbirth?," LEQS – LSE 'Europe in Question' Discussion Paper Series 96, European Institute, LSE.

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