Causal Effects of Paternity Leave on Children and Parents

Sara Cools, Jon H. Fiva and Lars J. Kirkebøen.

The Scandinavian Journal of Economics

Photo: Scand. J. of Economics

Published in:

The Scandinavian Journal of Economics 2015  117 (3) p.p.801–828.

DOI: 10.1111/sjoe.12113

Abstract:

Reserving a share of the parental leave period for fathers is considered necessary in order to induce fathers to take leave, and to increase men's participation in child-rearing. We investigate how a parental leave reform directed towards fathers affected leave-taking, and, in turn, children's and parents' long-term outcomes. A paternal leave quota greatly increases the share of men taking paternity leave. We find evidence that children's school performance improves as a result, particularly in families where the father has higher education than the mother. We find no evidence that paternity leave counters the traditional allocation of parents' labor supply.

Published July 22, 2015 12:01 PM