학술논문

What Causes the Child Penalty? Evidence from Adopting and Same-Sex Couples.
Document Type
Article
Source
Journal of Labor Economics. Oct2022, Vol. 40 Issue 4, p971-1004. 34p. 3 Charts, 7 Graphs.
Subject
*Child consumers
*Labor market
Gay couples
Social norms
Birthfathers
Language
ISSN
0734-306X
Abstract
New parenthood causes large decreases in labor market incomes for mothers but not fathers, a stylized fact known as the "child penalty." We combine a simple household model with estimates of child penalties in heterosexual nonadopting, adopting, and same-sex couples to better understand what causes the child penalty in heterosexual nonadopting couples. Our results largely rule out giving birth and the father's advantage in the labor market as mechanisms, leaving preferences, gender norms, and discrimination as the main explanations. In addition, our paper provides novel evidence on the impact of children on labor market outcomes of adopting and same-sex couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]